Bioecology of the u����-crab, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), in Vit��ria Bay, Esp��rito Santo State, Brazil

A biologia de Ucides cordatus na Ba��a de Vit��ria (ES) foi avaliada como subs��dio ao manejo populacional. As amostragens ocorreram mensalmente durante um ano (outubro/1998 a setembro/1999), com an��lise biom��trica (LC = largura da carapa��a; PE = peso total ��mido) e de fatores abi��ticos em quatro transectos, com quatro faixas cada (margem �� regi��o supratidal). A densidade foi de 3,7��1,5 caranguejos.m-2, com incremento em dire����o �� regi��o supratidal, sendo a profundidade das galerias de 1,1��0,3 m. A salinidade da ��gua intersticial diferiu entre as faixas, sendo mais elevada na regi��o supratidal. Houve correla����o significativa entre a abund��ncia de exemplares e alguns fatores ambientais, o mesmo ocorrendo quanto as tocas abertas e fechadas. A raz��o sexual evidenciou um predom��nio de f��meas (1,0M:1,6F), particularmente entre 50 e 75 mm LC. A maior incid��ncia de tocas fechadas ocorreu em agosto e setembro, enquanto as f��meas ov��geras foram registradas de janeiro a abril. A rela����o PE/LC mostrou isometria para os machos (PE=0,425.10-3 LC3,0014; R��=0,99) e f��meas (P=0,439.10-3 LC2,97; R��=0,99). Para o total da popula����o a m��dia de tamanho (LC) e peso (PE) foi de 54,6��11,8 mm e de 77,5��42,4 g, respectivamente. Os dados evidenciam que a popula����o encontra-se sobrexplotada, requerendo manejo adequado para a viabilidade da atividade extrativa na ��rea estudada.

Crescimento do caranguejo de ��gua doce, Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson (Crustacea, Brachyura, Trichodactylidae)

A biologia de caranguejos de ��gua doce tem sido pouco enfocada na literatura carcinol��gica, especialmente em rela����o ao crescimento das esp��cies da fam��lia Trichodactylidae. Este estudo visa determinar as curvas de crescimento em tamanho e peso, bem como a longevidade e a idade na muda pubert��ria dos caranguejos de ��gua doce Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson, 1861. As amostras foram obtidas mensalmente na Represa Municipal de S��o Jos�� do Rio Preto (S��o Paulo), de outubro/1994 a setembro/1996. Os indiv��duos tiveram o sexo determinado, sendo tamb��m mensurados (LC = largura do cefalot��rax) e pesados (PE = peso ��mido). O crescimento dos indiv��duos foi determinado pelo m��todo de distribui����o dos exemplares em classes de tamanho, sendo utilizado o programa FiSAT para a determina����o das curvas atrav��s do ajuste n��o linear dos dados pelo modelo de Bertalanffy. Foram analisados 962 exemplares (534 machos e 428 f��meas) e as curvas de crescimento em tamanho foram expressas pelas equa����es LC Machos = 61,7[1-e-0,97(t+0,041)] e LC F��meas = 57,1[1-e-1,41(t+0,031)], enquanto o crescimento em peso foi melhor representado por PE Machos = 65,2[1-e-0,97(t+0,041)]3,08 e PE F��meas = 44,9[1-e-1,41(t+0,031)]2,82. O tamanho assint��tico dos machos (61,66 mm) foi pouco superior ao das f��meas (57,09 mm), ocorrendo o inverso para a longevidade, estimada em 2,4 e 2,7 anos, respectivamente. O tamanho m��ximo estimado com base em 95% do tamanho assint��tico foi de 58,6 mm para os machos e 54,2 mm para as f��meas, valores muito pr��ximos dos maiores tamanhos registrados na natureza para cada sexo (55,8 mm). A muda da puberdade dos machos ocorreu com idade superior �� das f��meas (tMachos = 1,2 anos e tF��meas = 0,9 anos). Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho s��o in��ditos na literatura carcinol��gica, sendo de grande valia no manejo populacional e preserva����o desta esp��cie, que vem sendo intensamente explorada e usada como isca na pesca esportiva.

Rela����o peso/largura da carapa��a e fator de condi����o em Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson (Crustacea, Trichodactylidae), em S��o Jos�� do Rio Preto, S��o Paulo, Brasil

A biologia de caranguejos de ��gua doce tem sido pouco enfocada na literatura carcinol��gica, especialmente em rela����o �� Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson, 1861. Este estudo visa analisar a rela����o peso/tamanho e varia����es temporais/sazonais do fator de condi����o, comparando com a biologia da esp��cie. Os exemplares foram coletados mensalmente na Represa Municipal de S��o Jos�� do Rio Preto (S��o Paulo), durante um per��odo bianual (outubro/1994 a setembro/1996). Foram obtidos 962 esp��cimes (534 machos e 428 f��meas), que foram mensurados (LC = largura do cefalot��rax) e pesados (PE = peso ��mido total). Os pontos emp��ricos da rela����o PE/LC foram analisados para cada sexo e submetidos �� an��lise de regress��o pela fun����o pot��ncia (y = ax b) e representadas por: PE Machos = 0,0002LC3,��8 e PE F��meas = 0,0005LC2,82. O fator de condi����o foi calculado mensal e sazonalmente, sendo o das f��meas cerca de 2,5 maior que o dos machos, possivelmente devido ao maior tamanho/peso das g��nadas. de modo geral o ver��o foi caracterizado pela menor m��dia de fator de condi����o (��poca reprodutiva), contrastando com a maior verificada no inverno (reorganiza����o gonadal). Os resultados obtidos s��o enfocados pela primeira vez na literatura carcinol��gica, sendo de grande valia no manejo populacional e preserva����o desta esp��cie, que vem sendo intensamente explorada e usada como isca na pesca esportiva.

Caracteriza����o da estrutura gen��tica populacional do tubar��o-crocodilo (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) no Atl��ntico equatorial utilizando marcadores moleculares

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Os modos contempor��neos de gest��o do espa��o urbano e a inven����o de si

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Genetic differentiation of Macrodon ancylodon (Sciaenidae, Perciformes) populations in Atlantic coastal waters of South America as revealed by mtDNA analysis

The king weakfish (pescada-g�� in Portuguese - Macrodon ancylodon (Sciaenidae), a demersal (bottom-feeding) species found in South America Atlantic coastal waters from the Gulf of Paria in Venezuela to Baia Blanca in Argentina, is an economically important species because of its abundance and wide acceptance by consumers. Because of its wide distribution this fish may be subject to geographic isolation and this may have resulted in distinct populations along its coastal range. Considering that this species represents an important economic resource, confirmation of whether M. ancylodon is a single species or there are different genetic stocks spread over its wide distribution would be an important contribution to conservation policies and population management of the king weakfish. To investigate differences between king weakfish populations we used the cytochrome b and 16S rRNA genes to characterize M. ancylodon specimens caught throughout its South American range from Venezuela to Argentina. Our results clearly distinguished two genetically different groups which show nucleotide divergence and genetic structuring patterns that strongly suggest they may be different species, disagreeing with the widely accepted traditional taxonomy that accepts only one species of Macrodon in the western Atlantic.

Initial Development of a Web-Based Tool to Increase Hunter Harvest of Female Ungulates

Landowners and agencies have expressed difficulty finding hunters willing to harvest the female portion of the ungulate populations, and likewise, hunters have expressed difficulty achieving access to private lands. Since 2003, the Montana ���DoeCowHunt��� website (www.doecowhunt.montana.edu) has provided an avenue to improve hunter-landowner contact and wild ungulate population management. A product of Montana State University Extension Wildlife Program, this website provides a means for hunters and landowners in Montana to contact each other by listing contact information (email address, physical address, and telephone number) for the purpose of harvesting antlerless ungulates. In the first year over 10,000 users visited the site. Of those who actually registered, 11 were landowners and 1334 were hunters. An evaluation survey resulted in a 40% response rate. The survey indicated the average registered landowner had 20 hunter contacts. Many landowners contacted hunters through use of the website but did not register or list their contact information on the site.

Mating Behavior of Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) is an economically important pest of Neotropical cultures and represents a quarantine risk for Neartic and Paleartic Regions. Despite its agricultural importance, few studies have been done on mating behavior and chemical communication, which has delayed the development of behavioral techniques for population management, such as the use of pheromone traps. In this study, we determined 1) the age at first mating; 2) diel rhythm of matings; 3) number of matings over 7 d; 4) the sequence of D. speciosa activities during premating, mating, and postmating; 5) the duration of each activity; and 6) response to male and female conspecific volatiles in Y-tube olfactometer. The first mating occurred between the third and seventh day after adult emergence and the majority of pairs mated on the fourth day after emergence. Pairs of D. speciosa showed a daily rhythm of mating with greater sexual activity between the end of the photophase and the first half of the scotophase. During the 7 d of observation, most pairs mated only once, although 30% mated two, three, or four times. In a Y-tube olfactometer, males were attracted by virgin females as well as by the volatile compounds emitted by females. Neither males nor their volatiles were attractive to either sex. Our observation provide information about mating behavior of D. speciosa, which will be useful in future research in chemical communication, such as identification of the pheromone and development of management techniques for this species using pheromone traps.

Psychiatric comorbidity in refractory focal epilepsy: A study of 490 patients

We studied the prevalence and associated factors of psychiatric comorbidities in 490 patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Of these, 198 (40.4%) patients had psychiatric comorbidity. An Axis I diagnosis was made in 154 patients (31.4%) and an Axis II diagnosis (personality disorder) in another 44 (8.97%) patients. After logistic regression, positive family history of psychiatric comorbidities (O.R.=1.98; 95% CI=1.10-3.58; p=0.023), the presence of Axis II psychiatric comorbidities (O.R.=3.25; 95% CI=1.70-6.22; p<0.0001), and the epileptogenic zone located in mesial temporal lobe structures (O.R.=1.94; 95% CI=1.25-3.03; p=0.003) remained associated with Axis I psychiatric comorbidities. We concluded that a combination of clinical variables and selected structural abnormalities of the central nervous system contributes to the development of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with focal epilepsy. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Demographic characterization of supervised dog and cat populations in Sao Paulo city, Brazil

This study aimed to estimate the owned dog and cat populations of Sao Paulo city using a complex sample with random selection in two stages. In each administrative district, six census sectors and 20 households in each sampled sector were visited from September 2006 to September 2009, totalizing 11,272 interviews. The human: dog ratio was 4.34 and the human: cat ratio was 19.33. The dog population was 2,507,401 and the cat population, 562,965. The dog population was composted of 52.7% males, while among the cat population it was 45.1%. The proportion of sterilized females (23.4% among dogs and 46.1% among cats) was higher than males (11.4% among dogs and 31.5% among cats). The mean age of dogs was 4.99 years, and for cats, 3.53 years. The proportion of restricted (without access to the street) dogs, 64.4%, was higher than restricted cats, 42.5%. The average number of animals/household was 1.60 for dogs and 1.69 for cats. The animal ownership is associated with cultural factors, therefore the characterization of canine and feline population is essential to implement an adequate animal population management program and zoonosis control.

National survey of the prevalence, incidence, primary care burden, and treatment of heart failure in Scotland

Objective: To examine the epidemiology, primary care burden, and treatment of heart failure in Scotland, UK. Design: Cross sectional data from primary care practices participating in the Scottish continuous morbidity recording scheme between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000. Setting: 53 primary care practices ( 307 741 patients). Subjects: 2186 adult patients with heart failure. Results: The prevalence of heart failure in Scotland was 7.1 in 1000, increasing with age to 90.1 in 1000 among patients greater than or equal to 85 years. The incidence of heart failure was 2.0 in 1000, increasing with age to 22.4 in 1000 among patients greater than or equal to 85 years. For older patients, consultation rates for heart failure equalled or exceeded those for angina and hypertension. Respiratory tract infection was the most common comorbidity leading to consultation. Among men, 23% were prescribed a beta blocker, 11% spironolactone, and 46% an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. The corresponding figures for women were 20% (p = 0.29 versus men), 7% (p = 0.02), and 34% (p < 0.001). Among patients, 75 years 26% were prescribed a �� blocker, 11% spironolactone, and 50% an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. The corresponding figures for patients &GE; 75 years were 19% (p = 0.04 versus patients < 75), 7% (p = 0.04), and 33% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Heart failure is a common condition, especially with advancing age. In the elderly, the community burden of heart failure is at least as great as that of angina or hypertension. The high rate of concomitant respiratory tract infection emphasises the need for strategies to immunise patients with heart failure against influenza and pneumococcal infection. Drugs proven to improve survival in heart failure are used less frequently for elderly patients and women.

Stochastic models for mainland-island metapopulations in static and dynamic landscapes

This paper has three primary aims: to establish an effective means for modelling mainland-island metapopulations inhabiting a dynamic landscape: to investigate the effect of immigration and dynamic changes in habitat on metapopulation patch occupancy dynamics; and to illustrate the implications of our results for decision-making and population management. We first extend the mainland-island metapopulation model of Alonso and McKane [Bull. Math. Biol. 64:913-958,2002] to incorporate a dynamic landscape. It is shown, for both the static and the dynamic landscape models, that a suitably scaled version of the process converges to a unique deterministic model as the size of the system becomes large. We also establish that. under quite general conditions, the density of occupied patches, and the densities of suitable and occupied patches, for the respective models, have approximate normal distributions. Our results not only provide us with estimates for the means and variances that are valid at all stages in the evolution of the population, but also provide a tool for fitting the models to real metapopulations. We discuss the effect of immigration and habitat dynamics on metapopulations, showing that mainland-like patches heavily influence metapopulation persistence, and we argue for adopting measures to increase connectivity between this large patch and the other island-like patches. We illustrate our results with specific reference to examples of populations of butterfly and the grasshopper Bryodema tuberculata.

Passive Acoustics: A Multifaceted Tool for Marine Mammal Conservation

<p>Marine mammals exploit the efficiency of sound propagation in the marine environment for essential activities like communication and navigation. For this reason, passive acoustics has particularly high potential for marine mammal studies, especially those aimed at population management and conservation. Despite the rapid realization of this potential through a growing number of studies, much crucial information remains unknown or poorly understood. This research attempts to address two key knowledge gaps, using the well-studied bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) as a model species, and underwater acoustic recordings collected on four fixed autonomous sensors deployed at multiple locations in Sarasota Bay, Florida, between September 2012 and August 2013. Underwater noise can hinder dolphin communication. The ability of these animals to overcome this obstacle was examined using recorded noise and dolphin whistles. I found that bottlenose dolphins are able to compensate for increased noise in their environment using a wide range of strategies employed in a singular fashion or in various combinations, depending on the frequency content of the noise, noise source, and time of day. These strategies include modifying whistle frequency characteristics, increasing whistle duration, and increasing whistle redundancy. Recordings were also used to evaluate the performance of six recently developed passive acoustic abundance estimation methods, by comparing their results to the true abundance of animals, obtained via a census conducted within the same area and time period. The methods employed were broadly divided into two categories ��� those involving direct counts of animals, and those involving counts of cues (signature whistles). The animal-based methods were traditional capture-recapture, spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR), and an approach that blends the ���snapshot��� method and mark-recapture distance sampling, referred to here as (SMRDS). The cue-based methods were conventional distance sampling (CDS), an acoustic modeling approach involving the use of the passive sonar equation, and SECR. In the latter approach, detection probability was modelled as a function of sound transmission loss, rather than the Euclidean distance typically used. Of these methods, while SMRDS produced the most accurate estimate, SECR demonstrated the greatest potential for broad applicability to other species and locations, with minimal to no auxiliary data, such as distance from sound source to detector(s), which is often difficult to obtain. This was especially true when this method was compared to traditional capture-recapture results, which greatly underestimated abundance, despite attempts to account for major unmodelled heterogeneity. Furthermore, the incorporation of non-Euclidean distance significantly improved model accuracy. The acoustic modelling approach performed similarly to CDS, but both methods also strongly underestimated abundance. In particular, CDS proved to be inefficient. This approach requires at least 3 sensors for localization at a single point. It was also difficult to obtain accurate distances, and the sample size was greatly reduced by the failure to detect some whistles on all three recorders. As a result, this approach is not recommended for marine mammal abundance estimation when few recorders are available, or in high sound attenuation environments with relatively low sample sizes. It is hoped that these results lead to more informed management decisions, and therefore, more effective species conservation.</p>

Spatial overlap of grey seals and fisheries in Irish waters, some new insights using telemetry technology and VMS

Seals and humans often target the same food resource, leading to competition. This is of mounting concern with fish stocks in global decline. Grey seals were tracked from southeast Ireland, an area of mixed demersal and pelagic fisheries, and overlap with fisheries on the Celtic Shelf and Irish Sea was assessed. Overall, there was low overlap between the tagged seals and fisheries. However, when we separate active (e.g. trawls) and passive gear (e.g. nets, lines) fisheries, a different picture emerged. Overlap with active fisheries was no different from that expected under a random distribution, but overlap with passive fisheries was significantly higher. This suggests that grey seals may be targeting the same areas as passive fisheries and/or specifically targeting passive gear. There was variation in foraging areas between individual seals suggesting habitat partitioning to reduce intra-specific competition or potential individual specialisation in foraging behaviour. Our findings support other recent assertions that seal/fisheries interactions in Irish waters are an issue in inshore passive fisheries, most likely at the operational and individual level. This suggests that seal population management measures would be unjustifiable, and mitigation is best focused on minimizing interactions at nets.

Breeding distribution and population decline of globally threatened Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas in Mbam Minkom Mountain Forest, southern Cameroon

The Grey-necked Picathartes Picathartes oreas, considered 'Vulnerable', is an enigmatic ground-dwelling bird endemic to the central African equatorial rainforest and belongs to a family of only two species. Its distribution extends to the two Endemic Bird Areas within Cameroon (Guinea Congo forest biome and Cameroon mountain arc) and its population is thought to be in decline throughout its range due to increasing habitat fragmentation and disturbance. During March-April 2003 and June and October 2007 we surveyed Grey-necked Picathartes in the north-western region of the Mbam Minkom Mountain Forest. In January-March 2006 we surveyed the entire mountain range and found go breeding and 24 potential breeding sites, mostly located on the western slopes. From the complete survey, we estimated the population at 44 breeding individuals. Populations were highest in the north-west region but had apparently declined from 40 breeding individuals in 2003 to 20 in 2007. This region accounted for 41% of the entire population on the mountain range during the 2006 survey. The Mbam Minkom/Kala Important Bird Area was designated based on the presence of Grey-necked Picathartes but is under high pressure of imminent destruction from agricultural encroachment and illegal timber exploitation. These results have important implications for decision making in delimiting forest boundaries and core areas for protection in the development of management plans. We suggest possible remedial actions, appropriate repeatable methods for future monitoring and opportunities for community involvement in the management and conservation of the site.