Influence of lunar phases,winds and seasonality on the stranding of mesopelagic fish in the Strait of Messina (Central Mediterranean Sea)

The shore stranding of mesopelagic fauna is a recurrent phenomenon in the Strait of Messina (Central Mediterranean Sea). The aim of this paper is to test the influence of lunar phases, winds and seasons upon the frequency of occurrence of strandings of mesopelagic fish. Species abundance in relation to these factors was quantified for the first time. Specimens were collected stranded on the shore along the Sicilian coast of the Strait of Messina between 2008 and 2016. Overall 32 species belonging to seven families (Gonostomatidae, Microstomatidae, Myctophidae, Paralepididae, Phosichthyidae, Sternoptychidae, Stomiidae) were found stranded. Myctophidae was the family including the highest number of species (16), whereas Gonostomatidae was the most abundant in terms of total number of individuals (47.2%), mainly thanks to the species Cyclothone braueri. The moon, which influences the strength of currents (highest during full and new moon phases) and irradiance (higher in some lunar phases, such as the full moon), affected the abundance of stranded mesopelagic fish in the study area. The highest number of stranding events was recorded during the new moon: 34.6% of the total relative abundance of stranded mesopelagic fish. Wind blowing from the sea towards the coastline (southeasterly and easterly winds) created the best conditions for strandings. The highest abundance of stranded specimens was recorded during the winter season.     

Impact of channel bar form and grain size variability on estimated stranding risk of juvenile brown trout during hydropeaking

Hydropeaking leads to artificial fluctuations in discharge and corresponding water levels with pronounced dewatering areas between base and peak flow along gravel bars and channel banks. In the present study, 16 hydropeaking reaches in Austria were investigated to assess possible differences in the estimated stranding risk for young of the year brown trout according to different gravel bar types and differences in microtopography roughness. Based on hydrodynamic‐numerical modelling, a predictive habitat modelling approach was implemented in the study design. Accompanied by grain size sampling along the various channel bars, a conceptual stranding risk model (SRM) was developed. The results showed that a high variability in estimated stranding risk exists for the tested sites considering discharge ratios of 1:3, 1:5 and 1:10. With respect to the discussion of establishing legal thresholds for ramping ratios in discharge, it was documented that, exemplarily, a discharge ratio base flow/peak flow of 1:5 (winter base flow conditions) could cause minor differences in the spatial extent of dewatering areas and the related estimated stranding risk for juvenile brown trout compared to a ratio of 1:2 for summer base flow conditions. Microtopographic roughness was addressed due to sampling and analysis of grain size distributions. Statistical testing of grain size distributions revealed significant differences between the surface material compositions of the investigated gravel bars. Those differences are evident, particularly for the coarser fraction (d₉₀), which is important as cover for young of the year brown trout. These aspects of grain size in habitat use and hydraulics have been addressed in the conceptual SRM. The results showed that point bar morphology, in particular, was less sensitive to the risk of stranding compared to, for example, alternating gravel bars. Considering the multiple pressures for alpine rivers, the improvement of structural features due to bar formation and related self‐forming processes is discussed as a possible alternative for future mitigation measures to reduce the negative impacts of hydropeaking. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphology and affiliation of the centric diatom Anaulus birostratus (Grunow) Grunow from South Africa

The morphology of a rectangular, pillow-shaped, centric diatom from the surf zone in False Bay and Algoa Bay was studied with the light microscope and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Acid-cleaned (i.e. free of organic material), and critical-point- and freeze-dried material was used. Certain important features were seen. There was a large variation in cell size and shape. Threads connecting the cells in chains, an external organic layer covering the cell, and chromatophore colour, number and shape are reported for the species, probably for the first time. Valve, girdle and areolar structure was studied in detail, and the notch seen with the light microscope in the middle part of the valve was identified with the electron microscope as a labiate process, the off-centre position of this process being distinctive of the species. The geographical distribution of the species, as described in available literature, is discussed.     

Inter-basin movements of Mediterranean sperm whales provide insight into their population structure and conservation

The sperm whale is one of the very few deep diving mammal species in the Mediterranean Sea. Following a rare mass stranding of male sperm whales in the Adriatic Sea in December 2009, photo-identification methods were used in order to investigate previous sightings of the stranded whales in the region. Fluke photos of the stranded whales were compared with those of 153 and 128 free-ranging individuals photographed in the western and eastern Mediterranean basins, respectively. Three out of the seven stranded whales had been previously photo-identified and some of them more than once. To reach the stranding place, two of these re-identified whales performed long-range inter-basin movements of about 1600-2100 km (in a straight line) either through the Strait of Sicily or the Strait of Messina. In addition, comparisons among all whales photographed in the two Mediterranean basins revealed that one more individual first photographed in the western basin (1991) was re-identified 13 years later in the eastern basin (2004). These three cases provide the first conclusive evidence of inter-basin movement of sperm whales in the Mediterranean Sea. Inter-basin gene flow is important for the survival of the small and endangered Mediterranean sperm whale population. Mitigating the disturbance created by human activities in the straits area is crucial for its conservation.     

福建沿海鲸鲨时空分布初探及保护对策

搁浅、误捕和救助记录是研究野生动物分布和获取其基本生物学数据的重要来源,尤其是对那些缺少系统性野外调查的物种。本研究收集了福建沿海2006—2019年间鲸鲨（Rhincodon typus）的搁浅、误捕和救助记录,初步探讨福建沿海鲸鲨的时空分布情况,并提出相应的保护对策。共收集福建沿海鲸鲨搁浅、误捕和救助记录30例,包括搁浅10例、误捕18例和救助2例,其中福州鲸鲨记录大部分在平潭岛附近,这可能与平潭海域上升流带来的丰富生物资源有关;所有记录中有28例（93.3%）发生在6—10月,表明夏秋季可能是鲸鲨在福建沿海活动的高峰期。此外,有体长记录的22条鲸鲨中,17条（77.3%）为幼年个体,可能是因为幼年鲸鲨偏好在高生产力的近岸海域聚集以获取充足的食物,因此也更容易搁浅或被误捕。较多的误捕记录（60.0％）提示渔业活动对鲸鲨有较大威胁。因此,建议建立全省甚至全国性的鲸鲨搁浅误捕数据库,进一步严格和规范渔业管理,改进渔具以降低误捕鲸鲨的概率,加强对公众（特别是渔民）的宣传教育,以更好地保护这一濒危物种。     

Early post-release survival of stranded Cape fur seal pups at Black Rocks,Algoa Bay,South Africa

The small and isolated Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus rookery at Black Rocks, Algoa Bay, South Africa, is an important component of the marine biota of the Addo Elephant National Park. Although little is known of the demographics of this rookery, it is believed to be declining in abundance. The pupping season for this population coincides with summer storms that often wash pups from Blacks Rocks. In the past, many that washed up on the mainland were rescued and returned to their colony. However, the necessity and value of this exercise has been questioned. The displacement of 200 pups from their rookery following a severe storm in December 2008 presented an opportunity to follow the early survival of rescued pups that were returned to Black Rocks. Tag resightings of those that were adequately tagged (n = 52) were obtained during five visits to Black Rocks over a period of 3½ months. The results indicated that about one-quarter of tagged pups survived. This is the first study to demonstrate substantial short-term survival of otariid pups following rehabilitation and return to the wild.     

The spatio-temporal distribution and population structure of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in New Zealand

Despite being endangered internationally and protected nationally, little consideration has been given to the occurrence of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in New Zealand. New Zealand lies on the southern boundary of the distributional range of green turtles in the southwestern Pacific, with individuals found within these waters historically considered to be occasional visitors or stragglers incidentally carried by ocean currents. However, the present work shows that green turtles are present year round in New Zealand’s northern waters (c. 34°–38° S). A review of sighting, stranding and incidental capture data collected between 1895 and 2013 illustrate New Zealand’s green turtle population comprises post-pelagic immature juveniles to large subadults. The female:male sex ratio of 1.7:1 is similar to those reported from warm temperate foraging grounds in eastern Australia. A subsample of new recruits indicates green turtles recruit to neritic habitats at approximately 40.8?cm curved carapace length. This study suggests that New Zealand’s neritic habitats constitute a transitional developmental ground for post-pelagic immature green turtles. We observed an exponential increase in the number of documented records over time, though whether this is due to increased numbers of turtles or increased reporting rates, or both, is unclear and warrants further investigation. More broadly, this work provides a baseline understanding of the ecology of green turtles at the edge of their range, providing opportunities to investigate regional niche modelling and connectivity of this highly mobile species, while also monitoring broad-scale effects of climate-induced environmental change.     

An overview of cetacean strandings,bycatches and rescues along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait,China: 2010–2015

鲸豚类是大型的海洋哺乳动物,是海洋中的重点保护生物。在制定相应的保护政策前,应较为充分地了解其种群特征。而分析一个地区的鲸豚搁浅等信息,则能够为该地区提供其组成和物种多样性等基本信息。本研究收集了2010-2015年台湾海峡西岸发生的鲸豚类的搁浅、误捕和救护等资料和样本。结果共记录了48例事件,其中包括37例搁浅事件,8例误捕事件和3例救护事件,共涵盖了13个鲸豚物种。其中,中华白海豚和江豚占较大比例,分别为31.3%和25%。值得注意的是,其中10起事件（20.8%）发生在平潭岛,而且包含了3种须鲸和4种齿鲸。另外,我们还比较了台湾海峡东西两侧鲸豚物种的组成,发现共有31种鲸豚物种生活在台湾海峡,说明该地区的鲸豚物种丰富度较高。通过这些信息的收集和分析,我们基本摸清了台湾海峡的鲸豚物种分布。今后,我们将通过开展野外调查来系统地分析台湾海峡的鲸类物种组成,种群大小和栖息地状况等基础资料,为提供更好的保护管理打下良好基础。