Physiological response and immediate mortality of gill-net-caught blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek R. Dapp ◽  
Charlie Huveneers ◽  
Terence I. Walker ◽  
Richard D. Reina
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Plasma Lactate ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Gill Net ◽  
Reef Sharks ◽  
Carcharhinus Melanopterus ◽  
Related Mortality

To investigate factors contributing to immediate mortality in gill-net-caught elasmobranchs, we caught and blood sampled a total of 64 sharks and rays. Blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) were the most commonly caught species and had significantly elevated plasma lactate (mean 23.3 mM) and potassium (mean 6.2 mM) concentrations following capture, suggesting physiological disturbance. The overall immediate mortality rate of C. melanopterus was 38% and mortality was significantly influenced by body size, but not location of entanglement or sex. Of the other species caught, nervous sharks (Carcharhinus cautus) were of particular concern, because this species is often caught as bycatch by gill-net fisheries throughout its range and experienced high immediate mortality rates when captured (66%; n = 12) in the present study. The results suggest that juvenile C. melanopterus are particularly susceptible to gill-net-related mortality and that fisheries management strategies for C. melanopterus bycatch should focus on reducing the likelihood of juvenile sharks encountering this gear. Given that this species is not currently considered to be threatened with extinction, population monitoring should be performed such that the suggested regulations can be implemented if populations decline to levels threatening the conservation status of the species.

scholarly journals Monitoring and conservation of the rare orchid Didimoplexis verrucosa in the face of change

Bothalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.H.C. Mostert ◽  
R.E. Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Term Survival

Abstract Background: Didymoplexis verrucosa is a cryptic leafless saprophytic ground orchid (~70 mm tall) growing on the coastal forest floors of southern Zululand and classified as Vulnerable (D2). As part of a population monitoring programme, 960 man-hours of species specific searching over five consecutive flowering seasons were conducted, yielding only one individual plant. Objective: The aim of this study was to increase detection rate by developing a profile of environmental indicators for the accurate identification of suitable habitat. Methods: A detailed description of suitable habitat was compiled based on the Braun-Blanquet approach. Results: The results showed that key attributes shared by localities include similar topographic position in the landscape, hydrology, soils, vegetation composition and structure, forest age, leaf-litter composition of the forest floor, the co-occurrence of Isoglossa woodii, and a similar degree of protection from sunlight, wind and desiccation. Significance of the findings: This profile of essential habitat characteristics can be used as a surrogate in the absence of actual locality data when identifying target conservation areas and compiling management strategies for this very cryptic species. A by-product of this habitat analysis was the discovery of a long list of impacts on the long term survival of D. verrucosa. The combination of these stochastic and deterministic events will drive habitat change at rates beyond the species’ ability to adapt. Managing these variables forms the crux of its successful conservation. A conservation status revision, based on the formal IUCN criteria, indicate that D. verrucosa should be reclassified as Critically Endangered Category B2a and D.  

scholarly journals Same species, different prerequisites: investigating body condition and foraging success in young reef sharks between an atoll and an island system

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ornella C. Weideli ◽  
Ian A. Bouyoucos ◽  
Yannis P. Papastamatiou ◽  
Gauthier Mescam ◽  
Jodie L. Rummer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Maternal Investment ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Foraging Success ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Reef Sharks ◽  
Island System ◽  
Carcharhinus Melanopterus

Abstract Acquiring and storing energy is vital to sharks of all age-classes. Viviparous shark embryos receive endogenous maternal energy reserves to sustain the first weeks after birth. Then, in order to maintain body condition, sharks must start foraging. Our goal was to understand whether maternal energy investments vary between blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) from two populations and to what extent body condition and the initiation of foraging might be affected by presumably variable maternal investments. A total of 546 young sharks were captured at St. Joseph atoll (Seychelles) and Moorea (French Polynesia) between 2014 and 2018, and indices of body condition and percentage of stomachs containing prey were measured. Maternal investment was found to be site-specific, with significantly larger, heavier, and better conditioned individuals in Moorea. Despite these advantages, as time progressed, Moorea sharks exhibited significant decreases in body condition and were slower to initiate foraging. We suggest that the young sharks’ foraging success is independent of the quality of maternal energy resources, and that other factors, such as prey availability, prey quality, and/or anthropogenic stressors are likely responsible for the observed differences across sites. Insights into intraspecific variations in early life-stages may further support site-specific management strategies for young sharks from nearshore habitats.

scholarly journals Mortality Associated with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Northeastern Italy, 2008–2020: A Multiple Cause of Death Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7249
Author(s):  
Alessandro Marcon ◽  
Elena Schievano ◽  
Ugo Fedeli
Keyword(s):  
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Annual Percent Change ◽  
Northeastern Italy ◽  
Mortality Ratio ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Related Mortality

Mortality from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is increasing in most European countries, but there are no data for Italy. We analysed the registry data from a region in northeastern Italy to assess the trends in IPF-related mortality during 2008–2019, to compare results of underlying vs. multiple cause of death analyses, and to describe the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020. We identified IPF (ICD-10 code J84.1) among the causes of death registered in 557,932 certificates in the Veneto region. We assessed time trends in annual age-standardized mortality rates by gender and age (40–74, 75–84, and ≥85 years). IPF was the underlying cause of 1310 deaths in the 2251 certificates mentioning IPF. For all age groups combined, the age-standardized mortality rate from IPF identified as the underlying cause of death was close to the European median (males and females: 3.1 and 1.3 per 100,000/year, respectively). During 2008–2019, mortality rates increased in men aged ≥85 years (annual percent change of 6.5%, 95% CI: 2.0, 11.2%), but not among women or for the younger age groups. A 72% excess of IPF-related deaths was registered in March–April 2020 (mortality ratio 1.72, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.24). IPF mortality was increasing among older men in northeastern Italy. The burden of IPF was heavier than assessed by routine statistics, since less than two out of three IPF-related deaths were directly attributed to this condition. COVID-19 was accompanied by a remarkable increase in IPF-related mortality.

Diet, total plasma homocysteine concentrations and mortality rates in broiler chickens

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Samuels
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Sudden Death ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Independent Risk Factor ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Sudden Death Syndrome ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Elevated Plasma

The aim of this study was to determine if total plasma homocysteine (HCY) concentrations and mortality rates due to ascites syndrome and (AS) sudden death syndrome (SDS) in broiler chickens could be lowered by diet. Elevated plasma HCY is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in humans. A total of 828 day-old male broiler chickens (Arbor Acre) were fed, for 6 wk, either a basal practical diet or one supplemented with excess vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and betaine to stimulate the degradation of HCY. The supplemented diet decreased plasma HCY by 17% (P < 0.05; n = 16 per diet). Total mortality due to AS and SDS was 18% lower in the supplemented diet but this difference was not statistically significant. Key words: Homocysteine, folate, chickens, cardiovascular disease, ascites, sudden death syndrome

Dietary composition of endangered seahorses determined by stable isotope analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 831 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Valladares ◽  
D. X. Soto ◽  
M. Planas
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Isotope Mixing Models ◽  
North Western

The lack of integrated measures for assessing the feeding ecology of seahorses may restrict the effectiveness of conservation actions on wild populations of worldwide threatened seahorse species. Identifying dietary sources will allow researchers to determine their degree of vulnerability to environmental changes, redefine their conservation status and apply appropriate management strategies. The resource use of the seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus inhabiting coastal waters of Galicia (north-western Iberian Peninsula) was assessed for three populations and 2 years using stable isotope mixing models. The Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR) estimated the relative contributions of the dietary sources to the seahorse diet and revealed that Caprellidea were the primary source, followed by Gammaridea and Caridea. Mysidae and Annelida represented the less dominant prey. This prey preference can be explained by the foraging behaviour of seahorses. Different contributions of Gammaridea and Caridea to the diet were found among sites, indicating different habitat characteristics and hence different habitat use by seahorses within each site. In addition, differences were encountered among sexes. Caprellidea was the dominant prey for females, whereas Gammaridea was the dominant prey for males. The findings of the present study will contribute to the knowledge of feeding patterns of H. guttulatus, providing relevant data for conservation of this endangered species.

scholarly journals A Nationwide Registry-Based Study on Mortality Due to Rare Congenital Anomalies

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Alonso-Ferreira ◽  
Germán Sánchez-Díaz ◽  
Ana Villaverde-Hueso ◽  
Manuel Posada de la Paz ◽  
Eva Bermejo-Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Time Trends ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Disease Epidemiology ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Related Mortality

This study aimed to analyse population-based mortality attributed to rare congenital anomalies (CAs) and assess the associated time trends and geographical differences in Spain. Data on CA-related deaths were sourced from annual mortality databases kept by the National Statistics Institute of Spain (1999–2013). Based on the ICD-10, only CAs corresponding to rare diseases definition were included in this study. Annual age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated and time trends were evaluated by joinpoint regression analysis. Geographical differences were assessed using standardised mortality ratios and cluster detection. A total of 13,660 rare-CA-related deaths (53.4% males) were identified in the study period. Annual age-adjusted mortality rates decreased by an average of −5.2% (−5.5% males, −4.8% females, p < 0.001). Geographical analysis showed a higher risk of rare-CA-related mortality in regions largely located in the south of the country. Despite their limitations, mortality statistics are essential and useful tools for enhancing knowledge of rare disease epidemiology and, by extension, for designing and targeting public health actions. Monitoring rare-CA-related mortality in Spain has shown a 15-year decline and geographical differences in the risk of death, all of which might well be taken into account by the health authorities in order to ensure equality and equity, and to adopt appropriate preventive measures.

scholarly journals Conservation of food tree species in Niger: towards a participatory approach in rural communities

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. e080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolores Agúndez Leal ◽  
Soumana Douma ◽  
Javier Madrigal ◽  
Almudena Gómez-Ramos ◽  
Barbara Vicenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ecological Regions ◽  
Food Species ◽  
And Gender

Aim of study: Indigenous woody species play an important role as a complement on the diet of rural populations in Niger, especially in periods of food scarcity. However, these species are nowadays overexploited and management programmes are necessary to conserve them. In order to design a conservation programme for edible woody species, this paper presents a sociological analysis about the use of edible woody species and their products during shortage periods in Niger.Area of study: Four villages in two distinct agro-ecological regions were selected to conduct structured enquiries based on focus group discussions and surveys with key informants.Material and Methods: Perceptions of the conservation status of these species were identified; as well the factors affecting food values, perceptions, management and collection practices.Main results: Results show that B. senegalensis was a staple food in the driest areas, and M. crassifolia was used for fodder and human consumption in the most critical situations. The local communities related the drivers of species conservation status specific to the agro-ecological regions, and gender and ethnic differences were also identified.Research highlights: Understanding these factors constitutes a first step towards adaptive management strategies for the conservation of woody food species in rural communities of Niger.Keywords: Africa; biodiversity; cultural preferences; food; NTFPs.

scholarly journals Comparison of Mortality Rates in Different Categories of Pigs and Cattle during Transport for Slaughter

2007 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. S109-S116 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Malena ◽  
E. Voslářová ◽  
A. Kozák ◽  
P. Bělobrádek ◽  
I. Bedáňová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Individual Animal ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Travel Distances ◽  
Related Mortality

The death of animals during transport for slaughter is a major factor indicating the level of welfare in transported animals. However, research data that report the level of animal welfare as reflected in transport-related mortality rates of individual animal species and categories are missing. The present study focused on losses of pigs and cattle in the period from 1997 to 2006. Transport-related mortality rates were recorded by species and categories of animals and also for the following travel distances: up to 50 km, 51-100 km, 101-200 km, 201-300 km, and over 300 km. Rates differed according to species and category. The highest mortality rates were found in young sows, sows, and boars (0.2562%) followed by fattened pigs (0.1075%), excluded dairy cows (0.0396%), calves (0.0269%), and fattened cattle (0.0069%). Significant differences were found among mortality rates (p < 0.05). The lowest mortality rates occurred with shorter travel distances (< 50 km and 51-100 km) when compared to long travel distances (101-200 km, 201-300 km and > 300 km), with a significant difference (p < 0.05) between short and long travel distances being found in fattened pigs, fattened cattle and dairy cows. Mortality rates in animals during transport for slaughter show young sows, sows, and boars to be the most susceptible to transport-related stress, followed by fattened pigs, dairy cows, and calves, whereas the highest resistance was observed in fattened cattle.

Estimation of annual mortality rates caused by early mortality syndromes (EMS) and their impact on salmonid stock–recruit relationships

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 1968-1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine G.J Michielsens ◽  
Samu Mäntyniemi ◽  
Pekka J Vuorinen
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Early Mortality ◽  
Stock Recruitment ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Annual Mortality ◽  
Mortality Estimates ◽  
Related Mortality

In this paper, we demonstrate how information from broodstocks can be combined with lab information on alevins to obtain annual stock-specific mortality estimates from early mortality syndromes (EMS) using a probabilistic approach, how a hierarchical model structure can be used to predict these mortality rates for related, partly sampled, or unsampled stocks, and why these estimates should be used to remove the effect of this mortality on stock–recruit estimates. The approach has been illustrated for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stocks in the Baltic Sea affected by the M74 syndrome. Results indicate that data on the proportion of M74-affected females, commonly used to approximate M74 mortality, overestimate actual M74-related mortality because of a declining trend in mortality among offspring of these females. The stock-specific M74 mortality estimates are used to account for nonstationarity in the stock–recruitment relationship caused by this fluctuating mortality. Because hierarchical meta-analyses assume exchangeability, the effect of M74 mortality is removed before including these stocks within hierarchical stock–recruit analyses of Atlantic salmon stocks, which are commonly unaffected by M74 mortality. Failure to remove the effect of M74 mortality on the stock–recruit data results in underestimation of the stock's productivity and resilience to exploitation, especially in the case of stocks with steep stock–recruit curves.

Amylin injection causes elevated plasma lactate and glucose in the rat

FEBS Letters ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 291 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew A. Young ◽  
Ming-Wei Wang ◽  
Garth J.S. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Lactate ◽  
Elevated Plasma
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