Distribution,behaviour and photo-identification of Atlantic humpback dolphins Sousa teuszii off Flamingos,Angola

Atlantic humpback dolphins Sousa teuszii are a priority for research due to their restricted geographic range, narrow ecological niche and the paucity of existing information. The distribution and behaviour of S. teuszii off Flamingos, southern Angola, was investigated during summer and winter 2008 using boat- and shore-based surveys. In all, 71 S. teuszii sightings were recorded, ranging from one to eight animals. Sousa teuszii inhabited shallow, nearshore waters throughout the region, with the exception of southern areas adjacent to fishing villages. Small bays, sheltered waters behind reef-breaks and areas off dry river mouths were used for foraging/feeding behaviour, whereas most travelling occurred along exposed coast. Ten individual S. teuszii were photo-identified. Multiple resightings (and absence of unmarked animals) indicate that all individuals present at the time of the surveys were photocaptured, exhibited high site fidelity and had year-round occurrence. Association indices of 0.77-1.0 indicated strong social affiliation between eight individuals, particularly in winter. Off Flamingos, S. teuszii occurs in small numbers and exhibits high site fidelity to a relatively small stretch of nearshore habitat, making the species vulnerable to local extirpation. Wider-scale surveys and development of a management plan are crucial to ensuring the long-term conservation of S. teuszii off Flamingos.     

Spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris off south-west Mauritius: abundance and residency

Spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris longirostris off the south-west coast of Mauritius are subject to ongoing anthropogenic disturbance in the form of daily dolphin tourism, which has intensified since 1998. Abundance of this species was estimated using photo-identification data and mark-recapture analysis. Between April 2008 and June 2010, identification photographs were collected from dolphins occurring along a 30 km length of the coast of south-west Mauritius. A total of 250 groups were encountered over 229 survey days. Mark-recapture analyses were performed on a photographic dataset of more than 8 000 good- and excellent-quality images and 83 animals were identified as distinctively marked individuals. The majority (85.5%) were seen more than once and resightings indicated a resident population. The compiled version of SOCPROG 2.4 was used to investigate the lagged identification rate. The fitted model supported a mostly resident population with additional animals moving in and out of the study area. The estimated abundance of the total population in the study area ranged between 138 and 399 individuals. Our results can be used for monitoring the population for fluctuations and for encouraging both the enforcement of laws regarding dolphin watching and the development of further means of management needed to ensure the long-term presence of this population.     

Atlantic humpback dolphins Sousa teuszii in the Saloum Delta (Senegal): distribution,relative abundance and photo-identification

During October and November 2015, the first systematic survey of Sousa teuszii was carried out in the Saloum Delta (Senegal, West Africa), comprising 1 617.5 km of boat-based survey coverage. Thirty sightings were recorded in the Saloum and Diomboss rivers, and along the southern coastline. Dolphins were also observed entering the Bandiala and Djinack channels, and travelling across the border into Gambia. The initial sighting locations were 0.043–1.192 km from shore, and tracked dolphins did not move more than 2.082 km from shore. Groups comprised 1–29 animals (mean 9.3 animals), and at least three neonate calves were observed during November. The overall relative abundance was 0.018 sight. km^?1 and 0.175 ind. km^?1. Sightings were concentrated in the Diomboss where relative abundance reached 0.037 sight. km^?1 and 0.331 ind. km^?1. Non-intensive photo-identification produced a minimum population size of 103 animals, the highest recorded for S. teuszii anywhere in its range. Photo-identification also confirmed a movement of individuals between different parts of the Saloum Delta. Combined travel–forage dominated the behaviour. Dolphins were photographed capturing mullet (Mugil sp.) on three occasions. The distribution, population size and movements of S. teuszii are discussed in relation to management.     

厦门湾中华白海豚：面临的威胁与保护对策

中华白海豚(Sousa chinensis)是国家一级重点保护水生哺乳动物,在我国主要分布于东南沿海的近岸及河口水域。厦门湾是中华白海豚重要栖息地之一,同时也是东南沿海经济较为发达的地区。自改革开放以来,厦门进行了高强度的海洋开发活动,对中华白海豚及其栖息地造成了较大影响。为了保护该物种及其栖息地,厦门市制定了一系列的保护措施,如建立自然保护区、跨区域协同管理、鱼类资源管护与增殖放流等,取得了较好成效。本研究总结了厦门湾中华白海豚所面临的主要威胁,以及为保护中华白海豚及其栖息地所采取的保护措施;分析了目前仍然存在的问题并提出改进建议,如保护区优化调整、加强执法监管、开展栖息地生态修复等,可为厦门湾及其他海域中华白海豚的保护与管理提供参考与借鉴。     

厦门至珠江口间沿岸海域中华白海豚分布的调查研究

厦门海域和珠江口海域是中华白海豚(Sousa chinensis)的2个重要分布区,但对这两地之间沿海白海豚的分布情况还缺乏了解.通过走访厦门至珠江口之间12个渔港码头或渔村的渔民,共获得有效问卷168份,探讨了厦门至珠江口之间沿海历史上和当今中华白海豚的分布情况.结果显示:年龄越大,渔民见过白海豚的比例越高;历史上(20～30a前),东山、汕头、甲子、汕尾和马宫等地沿海曾有较大的中华白海豚种群分布;如今,在东山湾和汕头海域还有中华白海豚的出没.通过进一步的截线抽样法调查,证实了汕头海域还有白海豚的分布,东山湾还有渔民观察到白海豚,但尚待进一步的证实.     

Abundance,recruitment and residency of two sparids in an intermittently open estuary in South Africa

The recruitment of distinct year-class cohorts in two sparid species, Rhabdosargus holubi and Lithognathus lithognathus, were linked to records of daily mouth state in the intermittently open East Kleinemonde Estuary, South Africa, between 1995 and 2006. L. lithognathus only recruited into the estuary in years when the mouth opened between late August and January. This was attributed to a limited spawning season and inability to recruit during wave overwash events. In contrast, R. holubi recruitment was uninterrupted and not influenced by seasonality of estuary access opportunities (mouthopening and overwash events). Estuarine-dependent residency periods ranged from 27 months to 48 months for L. lithognathus and 12 months to 23 months for R. holubi. The interannual abundances of these estuarydependent sparids were determined by reproductive seasonality, recruitment strategy and seasonal timing of estuarine access opportunities.     

Population size of neonate and juvenile dusky sharks Carcharhinus obscurus in the Port of Ngqura,South Africa

Identifying nearshore waters that serve as important habitats for neonate and juvenile sharks is crucial for effective fisheries management. This study examined the abundance of neonate and juvenile dusky sharks Carcharhinus obscurus within the Port of Ngqura, on the south-east coast of South Africa, between September 2006 and August 2007 using a combination of shore-angling catches and mark-recapture data. During this period, the port was non-operational and still undergoing construction. A total of 480 dusky sharks, ranging in size from 50 to 123 cm (precaudal length), was captured. Catch per unit effort was greatest between October and February, peaking in November at 0.51 sharks angler^–1 h^–1. Of the 219 C. obscurus tagged and released during the study period, 37 (16.9%) were recaptured. Sharks were at liberty from 0 to 409 days with the majority (89.2%) recaptured within the port. Using a Jolly-Seber open population model, the abundance of sharks within the port was estimated at 552 (95% CI: 422–765). Annual apparent survival probability was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.30–0.46), with an average annual recapture probability of 0.28 (95% CI: 0.19–0.39). This study demonstrates that the Port of Ngqura is an important summer habitat and core activity zone for both neonate and juvenile dusky sharks.     

Spatial and seasonal patterns in sighting rate and life-history composition of the white shark Carcharodon carcharias at Mossel Bay,South Africa

White sharks Carcharodon carcharias aggregate at specific times of the year at localities along the South African coast. At Mossel Bay, on the southern Cape coast, four sites were sampled (Seal Island, Hartenbos, Kleinbrak and Grootbrak) to investigate spatial and seasonal patterns in relative abundance and life-history composition. These are known aggregation sites within the bay, each having particular physical and/or biological characteristics. Sightings-per-unit-effort data were collected from February to December 2008–2010. Sighting rates demonstrated significant seasonal and interannual variation at the four sites. The highest mean sighting rate was recorded at Seal Island and the lowest at Hartenbos, which might be a consequence of differences in prey availability. The greatest interannual variability was recorded at Kleinbrak, followed by Seal Island, with little variability at Grootbrak and Hartenbos. White sharks appeared to concentrate at Grootbrak and Kleinbrak in summer and autumn, at Seal Island in winter, and at Hartenbos and Seal Island in spring. All life-history stages were present year-round but their occurrence was influenced significantly by season (p < 0.05), although not site. Few adults (325–424 cm total length) were seen, with the highest frequency being in spring, whereas that of young-of-the-year (≤174 cm) was in autumn. Juveniles (175–324 cm) constituted 78% of the animals sighted, indicating that Mossel Bay is an important aggregation site for this life-history stage.     

A prominent colour front in False Bay, South Africa: Cross-frontal structure, composition and origin

Colour fronts are a frequent occurrence in False Bay, South Africa, and their occurrence has been the subject of previous study and anecdotal conjecture. The opportunity arose to make a cross-frontal study of this feature in November 2005. Photographs were taken and, subsequently, satellite imagery was obtained. Measurements were made of temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, plant nutrients and chlorophyll a. Cross-frontal comparisons were also made on particulate material using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and elemental dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis. Frontal waters were milky white-green in colour, in stark contrast to the adjacent clearer, green-blue waters. The milky white-green water (MW-GW) was found to be warmer, (apparently) less saline, more turbid, richer in nitrate and silicate and had a higher chlorophyll a concentration. The dissolved oxygen signal was less pronounced, both water types being supersaturated. Paradoxically, in spite of the higher turbidity in the MW-GW, both water types had similar weights of suspended solids, although the MW-GW material was found to be more abundant and fragmentary when compared with its green-blue water (G-BW) counterpart. The MW-GW was rich in calcium whereas the G-BW was silicon enriched. The central findings of this study are that the strong southerly, onshore wind conditions prior to MW-GW formation introduced calcium-rich, fine particulates into the waters of the surf-zone. The sources of these particulates are thought to be the sea bed sediments and the sea/land interface. The particulates are close to neutral buoyancy enabling the MW-GW to persist over the time-scale of days. A mechanism reinforced by the warming of this water in the nearshore zone. The water was then advected by wind-forcing and subsequently, its own inertia around the north-west corner of False Bay, at which stage it was easily observed and sampled. It is suggested that the eventual collapse of the front was due to the slowing down of inertial movement in combination with the passive sinking of fine particulates and evaporative cooling resulting in downward convection.     

胶州湾大型底栖动物的丰度、生物量和生产量研究

为了研究胶州湾大型底栖动物的丰度、生物量和生产量,于2002年3月、6月、8月和12月,在胶州湾北部软底区、大沽河口、黄岛养殖区及养殖区邻域选取4个站位进行采样,对大型底栖动物进行了定量研究。共采到大型底栖动物138种,总平均丰度、平均生物量(湿质量)和年生产量(有机碳)分别为1 719个/m2,27 g/m2,2.2 g/(m2.a),初步估算,胶州湾大型底栖动物的总次级生产量为2.8万t/a。与渤海和南黄海大型底栖动物的丰度和生物量比较,丰度和生物量均低于这两个海域,但是胶州湾大型底栖动物的总次级生产量高于渤海。本研究对于了解胶州湾大型底栖动物现状及湾内养殖对大型底栖动物的影响具有重要的意义。     

南极长城湾夏季浮游植物数量与环境的关系

研究了南极长城湾 1 999/2 0 0 0年夏季网采浮游植物的种群动态以及浮游植物数量与营养盐和水温的关系。结果显示 ,浮游植物的细胞数量平均值为 2 87.65× 1 0 4 个 /m3,其中 2月份最高 ,达平均值的 4倍之多。综合 2 0世纪 90年代以来的调查结果 ,表明浮游植物的细胞数量与水温有明显的对应关系     

福清湾及附近海域浮游动物的数量和分布

本文分析了2005年10月和2006年5月在福清湾及其附近海域采集的浮游动物样品,结果表明,福清湾已鉴定的浮游动物有64种,10类浮游幼体.分为4个生态类群,包括河口低盐类群,近岸暖温类群,近岸暖水类群和广布外海类群.浮游动物物种多样性指数春季高于秋季.春季浮游动物总个体数均值为(161ind/m3)高于秋季的(83ind/m3),春季生物量均值为(67.7mg/m3)低于秋季的(87.7mg/m3);浮游动物总个体数的平面分布,春季湾内西部水域最高,海坛海峡最少;秋季福清湾东部水域最高,湾内西部水域最少.浮游动物生物量和总个体数的平面分布趋势基本一致.另外还对浮游动物的分布与环境因子的关系进行了分析.     

广西珍珠湾红树种群结构与动态特征

本研究以种群生命表为基础,对位于广西珍珠湾内的桐花树(Aegiceras corniculatum)种群、白骨壤(Avicennia marina)种群、秋茄(Kandelia obovata)种群和木榄(Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)种群采用径级法及匀滑技术,编制种群特定时间生命表,绘制种群存活曲线、死亡率和消失率曲线,进行种群数量动态变化和时间序列分析。结果表明:(1)白骨壤种群、秋茄种群和木榄种群年龄结构呈倒"J"形,种群趋于Deevey-II型,即增长型,主要集中在I龄级,存活曲线、死亡率和消失率曲线均呈现出更新层死亡率较高的特征;(2)桐花树种群年龄结构呈"金字塔"形,属于Deevey-I型,为衰退型,更新层个体数量少,种群总体不具备显著增长性幅度;(3)4种红树种群的数量变化动态指数V_pi和V′_pi均大于0.00%,种群稳定但易受外部环境影响;(4)在未来2、4、6、8个龄级时间后,4种红树种群中老龄级个体能够得到不同程度的补充。     

胶州湾浮游原生生物时空分布特征——丰度周年变化及与环境因子间的关系

为了解胶州湾浮游原生生物时空分布特征及与环境因子间的关系,自2007年6月～2008年5月,对青岛胶州湾内5个站点表层水的浮游原生生物丰度及环境因子进行了累计24次的周年采样调查及定性、定量分析.结果显示:(1) 浮游原生生物周年变动具有2个高峰,分别出现在4月和8月;(2) 浮游硅藻、鞭毛藻和纤毛虫的丰度周年变动均为双峰型:春节(4月)高峰、秋节(8月)高峰;(3) 浮游原生生物丰度与叶绿素a和溶解氧呈显著性相关,而其群落结构的变化与盐度、溶解氧、硝态氮和亚硝态氮的组合呈显著性相关.本工作为进一步探讨富营养化的内湾型近岸水体内原生生物生态学结构与功能提供了一份必要的基础资讯.     

Recolonisation of the Robberg Peninsula (Plettenberg Bay,South Africa) by Cape fur seals

The Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus colony at Robberg Peninsula, Plettenberg Bay, on the south-east coast of South Africa, was driven to extinction by indiscriminate harvesting by the late 1800s. Seals only began to recolonise this site in the 1990s. This study describes the recolonisation process from 2000 to 2009, exploring both within- and between-year count data of seals using the site. Counts increased over the study period from <300 animals to >3 100. Generalised linear models indicated the importance of year and month in explaining variability in the counts. Withinyear variability in the counts decreased over the study period, which may be related to an increasing proportion of resident (as opposed to transient) seals in the colony. However, the colony is currently still in a transition phase with a low ratio of breeding to non-breeding animals, based on the low numbers of pups born in the colony (currently still <100 per year). The influx of seals to the Robberg area may be associated with shifts in prey availability at the ecosystem level. The colony benefits from the protection afforded by the reserve status of the Robberg Peninsula and the existence of a marine protected area adjacent to it. However, human interference associated with fishing and/or ecotourism on the peninsula may inhibit development into a substantial breeding colony. Potential interventions for the conservation and management of this colony are discussed.     

湄洲湾中、小型浮游动物的分布

本文分析了2007年春、夏、秋、冬4个季节在湄洲湾采集的浮游动物样品,共记录了浮游动物115种,及若干类别的阶段性浮游幼虫和临时性浮游动物.湾内浮游动物种类丰富,生态类群多样,优势种皆为小型浮游动物.浅水Ⅱ型网获的浮游动物种类和个体数量均较浅水Ⅰ型网获的丰富.中、小型浮游动物个体总密度分布较均匀,4个季节均值高达73.34×102个/m^3,多样性指数（H′）和均匀度指数（J）值都很高,4个季节均值分别为3.30和0.68.湾内浮游动物的分布,大致反映了不同水系影响的动态.     

Abundance of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the north-western Mediterranean Sea,using photo-identification and microsatellite genotyping

The Mediterranean fin whale population, Balaenoptera physalus, is resident, with almost no exchanges with the Atlantic population. The entire population was estimated at 1300 or 13,300 individuals by a recent project depending on the platform used. This disparity shows the importance of long-term monitoring with a unique protocol of survey. Capture-recapture approaches using dorsal photographs and genetic identity collections over a 10 years period were used to estimate the abundance of the north-western Mediterranean fin whale. We identified 332 individuals using photographs and 470 using genotypes, with a total of 546 individuals identified between 2008 and 2019, when some whales were double-marked. The inter-annual percentage of recapture varied between 15% and 17% respectively for genotypes and photographs methods. Using Cormack-Jolly-Seber models, the abundance of fin whales in the north-western Mediterranean is estimated at 1295 individuals (95% CI: 1116–1474) with a survival probability of 0.945 (95% CI: 0.690–0.993) from genotypes. Abundance estimates from combined collections (photographs and genotypes) and corrected photograph estimates were similar to the genetic ones. Future studies might prioritize the genetic approach which is the least biased and with a narrower confidence interval. The genetic abundance estimates show relative stability over time, when compared to 1990 estimates, and should be included in future conservation actions.     

海州湾南部海域不同季节虾类数量及其分布特征

根据2009年5月、9月和12月对海州湾南部海域3个航次的渔业资源调查资料,对该海域十足目虾类的数量和分布的特征进行了初步研究,且探讨了优势种、温度、盐度、水深等因素对以上特征的影响。结果表明,5月虾类资源量最高,9月最低,12月较9月有所回升,分别以戴氏赤虾Metapenaeopsis dalei和日本鼓虾Alpheus japonicus、细巧仿对虾Parapenaeopsis tenella和刀额新对虾Metapenaeus ensis、日本鼓虾等为主要优势种。5月和9月虾类平面分布趋势均为西北外侧和东南水域较低,南面沿岸较均匀,东部和中部出现最高值;12月北面和南面近岸资源量较低,其他水域较均匀,最高值出现在东部水域。逐步回归分析表明,海州湾虾类资源量与底盐间存在显著相关关系,其他水文因素无显著相关关系。此外,优势种生态习性、赤潮和径流等是影响海州湾虾类数量和分布变化的主要因素。     

青岛太平湾砂质潮间带小型底栖生物丰度和生物量的研究

于2004年10月~2005年10月对青岛太平湾砂质潮间带进行了小型底栖生物的逐月采样,对丰度和生物量进行定量研究。结果表明,小型底栖生物的年平均丰度为(1 025.40±268.84)ind.10cm-2,平均生物量为(1 195.87±476.53)μgdwt.10cm-2,平均生产量为(10 762.80±4 288.77)μg dwt.10cm-2a-1。小型底栖生物在丰度和生物量上呈现了明显的季节变化,高值主要出现在4,5,6月,而低值在8,9月。共鉴定出l2个类群,线虫在丰度上占绝对优势(89.2%)。按生物量,多毛类占46.9%,其次为线虫31%。其它较多的类群还有涡虫、桡足类、腹毛虫、寡毛类等。50%以上的小型底栖生物分布在0~4cm表层,冬季部分向下迁移。Pearson相关分析表明,小型底栖生物数量对间隙水溶氧表现出明显的滞后效应,而与盐度、pH和沉积物环境因子相关性不明显。     

Abundance, Biomass, Production and Trophic Roles of Micro- and Net-Zooplankton in Ise Bay, Central Japan, in Winter

We investigated the geographical variations in abundance and biomass of the major taxonomic groups of micro- and net-zooplankton along a transect through Ise Bay, central Japan, and neighboring Pacific Ocean in February 1995. The results were used to estimate their secondary and tertiary production rates and assess their trophic roles in this eutrophic embayment in winter. Ise Bay nourished a much higher biomass of both micro- and net-zooplankton (mean: 3.79 and 13.9 mg C m^–3, respectively) than the offshore area (mean: 0.76 and 4.47 mg C m^–3, respectively). In the bay, tintinnid ciliates, naked ciliates and copepod nauplii accounted for, on average, 69, 18 and 13% of the microzooplankton biomass, respectively. Of net-zooplankton biomass, copepods (i.e. Acartia, Calanus, Centropages, Microsetella and Paracalanus) formed the majority (mean: 63%). Average secondary production rates of micro- and net-zooplankton in the bay were 1.19 and 1.87 mg C m^–3d^–1 (or 23.1 and 36.4 mg C m^–2d^–1), respectively, and average tertiary production rate of net-zooplankton was 0.75 mg C m^–3d^–1 (or 14.6 mg C m^–2d^–1). Available data approximated average phytoplankton primary production rate as 1000 mg C m^–2d^–1 during our study period. The transfer efficiency from primary production to zooplankton secondary production was 6.0%, and the efficiency from secondary production to tertiary production was 25%. The amount of food required to support the zooplankton secondary production corresponded to 18% of the phytoplankton primary production or only 1.7% of the phytoplankton biomass, demonstrating that the grazing impact of herbivorous zooplankton was minor in Ise Bay in winter.