Calibrations to estimate absolute numbers of New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups from direct counts

Annual direct counts of seal pups can indicate long‐term trends in population size, but mark‐recapture estimates are needed to deduce absolute numbers. A calibration between results from these two methods would facilitate the use of direct counts to estimate absolute numbers, an outcome that is relatively quick, cheap and minimises disturbance of animals. Mark‐recapture estimates for the numbers of New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups in 2003 at 10 colonies at Otago, southeastern New Zealand, were compared with independent single counts at the same colonies. A single ratio to estimate absolute numbers (y) from direct counts x was not statistically significant. Instead, two ratios were deduced, based on differences in habitat among colonies: y = 1.51x for colonies with hiding places for pups and y = 0.96x for colonies without hiding places. Application of these calibrations and their 95% prediction intervals produce estimates and ranges for the absolute numbers of pups from single annual counts.     

Prioritising range-wide scientific monitoring of the Cape fur seal in southern Africa

The range of the Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus population largely coincides with the region of the cold, nutrient-rich Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) adjoining the west coast of South Africa, Namibia and Angola. Range-wide scientific monitoring of the seal population was initiated in the 1970s to inform on population management questions related to commercial seal harvesting and seal–fishery interactions. Since the 1970s, seal-related management goals have changed, especially in South Africa where seal harvesting ceased in 1990 and government has conformed to scientific advice against the culling of seals for the intended benefit of fisheries. However, renewed impetus has been provided to seal research and monitoring through the expansion of the ‘ecosystem-based management’ concept in the region, as well as improved international cooperation in the management of marine resources. Together with wide-scale ecosystem changes in the marine environment, and forecast effects of global climate changes, this has justified the continuation and improvement of range-wide scientific monitoring of Cape fur seals. We prioritised seal monitoring based on cost, effort, and relevance to monitoring objectives that have been identified for the region, with consideration given to the conservation status of top predators, interspecific and predator-fishery interactions and the potential use of Cape fur seals as indicators of ecosystem health. An integrated approach incorporating a suite of life-history attributes of seals is recommended, useful monitoring tools are discussed and the need for coordinated monitoring effort and standardisation of sampling techniques is emphasised.     

Mortality of newborn pups of the South African fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus in Namibia

Pup mortality in the South African (Cape) fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus was measured throughout the pupping seasons over consecutive years (1987–1991) at two large mainland colonies in Namibia. Cumulative rates of mortality were obtained by counting live and dead pups every second day. Most young pups die shortly after birth in November/December each year, following which there is a decline in the rate of mortality. The average rate of mortality from birth to age 30 days at the Atlas Bay colony was 20 per cent. There was little inter-colony variation in the mortality rates of pups over the four years of the study. Differential rates of mortality between the sexes were found, significantly more female pups dying. Environmental factors are influential in the deaths of newborn pups at these mainland colonies, a combination of changes in wind velocity and direction leading to heat stress in pups being the most important.     

Records of subantarctic fur seals in New Zealand (Note)

Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) appear as stragglers on New Zealand coasts. Four records are noted, the most recent at Antipodes Island in December 1989.     

cDNA cloning of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor from Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica)

Species differences in sensitivity to related planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAH) add significant uncertainty in assessing the ecological risk to aquatic mammals. To investigate mechanisms of PHAH sensitivity in aquatic mammals, we cloned and sequenced the cDNA of Baikal seal aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), an intracellular protein that initiates PHAH-mediated effects. The Baikal seal AHR cDNA has an open reading frame of 843 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 94.6 kDa. Comparison of AHR amino acid sequences indicated a high degree of sequence conservation (98%) between Baikal and harbor seals. The high conservation of AHRs between Baikal and harbor seals indicates that these seals express AHR proteins closely related structurally. In our previous report (Kim & Hahn, 2002), the dioxin-binding affinity of the harbor seal AHR was at least as high as that of the AHR from a dioxin-sensitive strain of mice, suggesting that this seal species may be sensitive to PHAH effects. This implies that Baikal seal may also be sensitive to dioxin effects.     

Birth of Elephant seal (mirounga leonina) in New Zealand

The first recorded birth of a Southern Elephant seal Mirounga leonina on the New Zealand mainland occurred on 5 November 1967. Though less than half the weight of Macquarie I. neonates, the pup (a male) developed normally and left early in March 1968.     

The effects of seal-swim activities on the New Zealand fur seal (Arctophoca australis forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty,New Zealand,and recommendations for a sustainable tourism industry

Wildlife tourism (including pinniped tourism) offers people the opportunity to see wildlife in their natural environment. It can provide positive outcomes for the animals, through improved resources for conservation, or negative outcomes, such as inducing the animals to move away. This study assessed the impacts and sustainability of a novel but growing tourism industry, swimming with seals, based on interactions with New Zealand fur seals (Arctophoca australis forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, between December 2011 and March 2012. The behaviour of all seals in the water (interaction, neutral, and avoidance) was monitored at 1 min intervals, during 16 seal-swim events. Seals mostly ignored the swimmers (54% of records), some interacted with swimmers (41%); seals rarely avoided the swimmers (5%). Interactions peaked in frequency at 6 min into the swims, then declined. They occurred most frequently during December, corresponding with the pupping period when juvenile seals—the age class most likely to interact—are excluded from breeding areas and so spend much of their time in the water. Compliance of tour operators to regulations was also monitored during seal-swim activities and the industry was found to be highly compliant. The results suggest the activities monitored had minimal impact on seals in the water, and are likely to be sustainable in relation to seal conservation. Tourism can be site and time specific, and it is recommended that approaches such as those trialled here be adopted to monitor other wildlife tourism activities to ensure their sustainability. Further research needs to examine potential impacts of the tours on seals ashore.     

Spatial distribution of persistent organochlorines in ringed seal (Phoca hispida) blubber

Blubber samples, taken through the entire blubber column, were collected from three different anatomical locations on ringed seals (Phoca hispida). The outer and inner layers of these samples were analysed for concentrations of sigma PCBs (sum of the analysed congeners, polychlorinated biphenyls) and p,p'-DDE (4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene). No significant differences were found in blubber thickness or in per cent extractable lipid when comparing age- and sex-groups, or in extractable lipid content when comparing anatomical locations of the blubber or blubber depth. No significant differences were found between the three different anatomical locations with respect to the concentrations of sigma PCBs or p,p'-DDE. However, the concentrations of both sigma PCB and p,p'-DDE were significantly higher in the outer blubber layer compared to the inner. Higher levels of both sigma PCB and p,p'-DDE were found in males compared to females and juveniles in both the inner and outer parts of the blubber column. The most commonly used blubber sampling devices are biopsy tools that penetrate only the outer layer of the blubber. Analyses of such samples will not reflect the real body burden of organochlorines. Standard methods for sampling blubber of marine mammals should be developed so that comparative studies and longitudinal monitoring programs of pollutants in marine mammals can be conducted in a meaningful way.     

20世纪南极菲尔德斯半岛毛皮海豹食谱比例变化的同位素混合模型比较分析

稳定同位素比值分析已成功用于示踪动物的食物来源研究,近年来已发展了多个同位素混合模型用于计算混合物中多来源物质的组成比例。本文以过去百年来南极菲尔德斯半岛南极毛皮海豹(Arctocephalus gazella)毛发的C、N同位素数据为基础,运用同位素混合模型中的欧几里得距离法、线性模型和贝叶斯模型进行计算、分析和比较,得到毛皮海豹食谱中南极磷虾(Euphausia superb)、南极电灯鱼(Electrona antarctica)和尼氏裸灯鱼(Gymnoscopelus nicholsi)所占比例随时间的变化趋势。各模型计算得出的结果可分为两组,分别是欧几里得距离法公式(1)和(2)的结果,表现为近百年来毛皮海豹食谱中Euphausia superb比例与其毛发稳定N同位素比值呈同步上升的趋势;第二组为欧几里得距离法公式(3)、线性模型和贝叶斯模型的结果,Euphausia superb比例与毛皮海豹毛稳定N同位素比值呈反相关关系。综合对比研究区域气候、海冰环境变化背景和已有的南极磷虾种群密度调查资料分析,第二组模型结果与实际情况较为相符,可用于讨论食物比例的时间变化趋势。近百年来,菲尔德斯半岛毛皮海豹食谱中Euphausia superb的比例显著下降,很可能是由于区域气候快速变暖和海冰的消退造成的。本文的计算结果指示西南极半岛气候变暖已显著影响到区域海洋食物链变化。     

北黄海水体的^224 Ra

用锰纤维富集-射气法测量了北黄海水体的^224 Ra,研究了该海域夏季和冬季2个季节^224 Ra比活度及其垂直分布,并对其进行了比较研究．北黄海夏季^224 Ra 比活度为0．24—3．48Bq／m2,平均值为1．14Bq／m2;冬季^224 Ra比活度为0．37～6．68Bq／m2,平均值为0．94Bq／m2．北黄海的表层水有3个^224 Ra 高值区,分别位于东北部海域、渤海海峡南部和北黄海中北部海区．30m水深将^224 Ra比活度的垂直分布分成上层和下层2层．在0～30m水层,夏季,随着水深增加^224 Ra比活度逐渐增加,比活度变化较小;冬季部分站位由表层向下^224 Ra比活度逐渐降低．30m水深以下,^224 Ra比活度随着水深的增加而增加,而且变化幅度较大．由^224 Ra比活度的垂直分布得出该海域的垂直涡动扩散系数为2．5～43．5cm2／s,夏季北黄海冷水团中心海域底层溶解态化学物质输运补给到上层所经历的时间为9～15d左右．     

黄斑篮子鱼去毒相关基因的克隆与肝脏组成型表达分析

从基因水平探讨海洋鱼类对海洋藻毒素的去毒分子机理。采用RT-PCR法成功克隆了黄斑篮子鱼Siganus oramin肝脏I时相代谢酶细胞色素P450 1A(CYP1A)、II时相代谢酶alpha型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTA)和rho型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTR)、热休克蛋白70 (HSP70)、alpha 1型钠钾ATP酶(ATP1A1)及β-肌动蛋白(beta-actin, ACT)基因cDNA核心序列,序列分别长879 bp、582 bp、588 bp、660 bp、749 bp和554 bp。序列同源性分析发现,属鲈形目的黄斑篮子鱼CYP1A、GSTA和GSTR与同属鲈形目的牙鲆Paralichthys olivaceus、欧洲鲽Pleuronectes platessa、真鲷Pagrus major、鲤形目的斑马鱼Brachydanio rerio 相应氨基酸序列同源性较高,CYP1A和GSTA与非洲爪蟾(两栖类)、鸡(鸟类)、小鼠、大鼠和人(哺乳类)相应氨基酸序列同源性低,这可能与鱼类I、II时相去毒酶基因承担水环境毒素去毒代谢的特殊功能有关;而HSP70、ATP1A和β-肌动蛋白在鱼类、两栖类、鸟类、哺乳类中均有较高的同源性,这可能与这些基因在机体中承担的最基本的生命功能相关。应用半定量RT-PCR的方法,以β-肌动蛋白作为外参照,在指数期增长范围内分别得到了CYP1A、GSTA、GSTR、HSP70和ATP1A1 mRNA与β-肌动蛋白mRNA (%)的比值,确定黄斑篮子鱼肝脏去毒相关基因的组成型表达水平。其中,黄斑篮子鱼肝脏CYP1A、GSTA和GSTR基因组成型表达相对较高,HSP70和ATP1A1基因组成型表达相对较低,这可能与不同基因在黄斑篮子鱼海洋藻毒素去毒分子机理中承担的作用相关,为海洋藻毒素在海洋鱼类中的积聚及代谢去毒分子机制的研究提供了相关数据。     

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.     

Sedimentary humic substances in the northern Adriatic sea (Mediterranean sea)

Humic compounds were determined in sediments collected in an area of the Adriatic sea receiving fresh waters from the river Po. Sediment cores (10 cm) were sectioned into four layers which were analysed separately for redox potential (Eh), total phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), humic (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) content. The structure of HA and FA was also investigated. The results showed that the TOC and TP content decreased from the coast to the open-sea stations. Humic and fulvic acid concentrations were also inversely correlated to the distance from the coast. Moreover, the humic and fulvic acids were closely correlated to the total organic content and to the total phosphorus content. The correlations found between humic substances (HS) and TOC and TP, respectively, could be explained both by an in situ formation due to the high content of nutrients and organic matter, and by a common source of HS, TOC and TP, namely the River Po discharge. The predominant presence of aliphatic carbon in the humic structures, the low degree of substitution and the high nitrogen content suggest that primarily humified compounds were formed in situ. Nevertheless, the River Po can act both as supplier of organic matter of which decomposition products lead to the formation of humic compound and as carrier of humified compounds.     

Consumption of catch and interference with linefishing by South African (Cape) fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus

The controversy surrounding the consumption of catch and interference by seals within the handline industry has led to complaints and conflicting statements by fishermen. In an attempt to evaluate and quantify the effect of seals on the industry, questionnaires were distributed to skiboat clubs in and near Cape Town. Between February 1988 and May 1992, 193 returns were received from the Western and South-Western Cape. From the 167 returns analysed for this paper, it was clear that just two species (hottentot and snoek) were the main targets of the fishery. Losses to seals of these two species amounted to 1,5 and 3,0 per cent respectively. Losses were highest in November (8,4%) for hottentot and in August (11,4%) for snoek, whereas in January and April there were no losses of either species. Simplistic estimates for the whole of South Africa in 1989 indicate annual tackle losses of 0,035 per cent (R42 000 = US $16 000 in 1992) and fish losses of 0,2 per cent (R230 000) of the landed value of handline-caught fish.     

The annual cycle of Synechococcus (cyanobacteria) in the northern Levantine Basin shelf waters (Eastern Mediterranean)

Abundance of picoplanktonic chroococcoid marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus was monitored weekly over the year 1998 in shallow coastal waters of the northern Levantine Basin. The ambient physical, chemical and biological variables (temperature, salinity, Secchi disk depth, total suspended sediment, nitrate, phosphate, Chl a and phytoplankton) were also measured. Synechococcus was found to be more abundant during summer and early autumn and less during winter and early spring. At the surface and 15 m depth, cell concentrations were in the range 6.4 × 10³–1.5 × 10⁵ and 3.2 × 10³–1.6 × 10⁵ cells·ml⁻¹, respectively. Based on the Pearson product–moment correlation analysis, a highly significant correlation between Synechococcus abundance and ambient temperature was observed (n = 40, r = 0.558, P < 0.01). As Synechococcus forms blooms that usually do not last more than a week, the short time‐scale survey achieved in this study was appropriate to reveal its abundance dynamics. Several factors such as rapid changes in nutrient concentration (especially nitrate), phytoplankton, light availability, temperature, salinity, freshwater input and vertical mixing played a relevant role on the abundance of Synechococcus over the year in the highly dynamic shallow coastal waters of the Levantine Basin.     

Identification of aryl hydrocarbon receptor 2 in aquatic birds; cDNA cloning of AHR1 and AHR2 and characteristics of their amino acid sequences

The toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and its related planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). To investigate the potential sensitivity to PHAHs and the evolutional diversity of AHR in aquatic birds, AHR cDNAs were initially cloned and sequenced from the livers of a black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes) and a common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). In this study, we report the identification of two distinct AHR paralog genes in these species. The two full-length AHR cDNAs from albatross were highly divergent (33% overall amino acid identity, and 60% identity in the N-terminal half). Phylogenetic analysis showed that one of them belongs to the AHR1 clade and the other one to the AHR2 clade, which has been identified only from fishes, but not yet from mammals and birds. Albatross AHR1 encoded a 861-residue protein with a predicted molecular mass of 96.7 kDa, and in the case of albatross AHR2, 925 amino acids and 100.7 kDa. From cormorant liver, the full-length AHR1 cDNA and the partial AHR2 cDNA were cloned. This result strongly suggests that bird species also possess two distinct AHR genes (AHR1 and AHR2). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of an AHR2-like isoform in bird species as well as in fish.