Population studies of juvenile Trochus niloticus on a reef flat on the north-eastern Queensland coast, Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Castell
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Reef Flat ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Shell Width ◽  
The North ◽  
Size Frequency ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Trochus Niloticus

Transects and quadrats were used to sample the distribution and density of Trochus niloticus, recruitment, growth rates of juveniles, and characteristics of the microhabitat, on an intertidal reef flat at Orpheus Island between 1993 and 1995. Individuals between 1·5 and 62 mm shell width (SW) were found in all parts of the reef flat. Their density averaged 0·178 and 0·115 individuals m-2 in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Juveniles were found in groups of 2–4 individuals m-2 more frequently than would occur by chance, but denser aggregations were rare. As juveniles increased in size, there was a change in microhabitat: from small rubble (<10 mm) to larger rocks and coral bench and from shallow pools (<10 mm deep) to deeper pools. The size–frequency distribution was bimodal during parts of the year, suggesting seasonality in recruitment. Growth rates ranged between 2·3 and 2·6 mm SW month-1. In relation to the seeding of cultured juveniles for population enhancement, the results indicate that seeding densities should be <5 individuals m-2. Shallow areas with abundant small rubble may represent favourable conditions for individuals of <15 mm SW, but deeper areas with larger rocks are better for individuals of 15 mm SW.

scholarly journals Testing size–frequency distributions as a method of ontogenetic aging: a life-history assessment of hadrosaurid dinosaurs from the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta, Canada, with implications for hadrosaurid paleoecology

Paleobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-404
Author(s):  
Mateusz Wosik ◽  
Kentaro Chiba ◽  
François Therrien ◽  
David C. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Long Bone ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Size Frequency ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Dinosaur Park Formation

AbstractHadrosaurid dinosaurs, the dominant large-bodied terrestrial herbivores in most Laurasian Late Cretaceous ecosystems, have an exceptional fossil record consisting of many species known from partial ontogenetic series, making them an ideal clade with which to conduct life-history studies. Previous research considered the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) of Alberta as an attritional, or time-averaged, sample and interpreted size–frequency distribution of long bones collected from the DPF with three size classes to suggest that hadrosaurids from the DPF attained near-asymptotic body size in under 3 years. This conflicted with previously published osteohistological estimates of 6+ years for penecontemporaneous hadrosaurids from the Two Medicine Formation (TMF) of Montana, suggesting either extreme variation in hadrosaurid growth rates or that size–frequency distributions and/or osteohistology and growth modeling inaccurately estimate ontogenetic age.We tested the validity of the previously proposed size–age relationship of hadrosaurids from the DPF by significantly increasing sample size and combining data from size–frequency distributions and osteohistology across multiple long-bone elements. The newly constructed size–frequency distributions typically reveal four relatively distinct size–frequency peaks that, when integrated with the osteohistological data, aligned with growth marks. The yearling size class was heavily underrepresented in the size–frequency distribution. If not due to preservation, this suggests that either juvenile (<2 years of age) hadrosaurids from the DPF had increased survivorship following an initially high nestling mortality rate or that yearlings were segregated from adults. A growth-curve analysis revealed asymptotic body size was attained in approximately 7 years, which is consistent with hadrosaurids from the TMF. The data suggest size–frequency distributions of attritional samples underestimate age and overestimate growth rates, but when paired with osteohistology can provide unique life-history insights.

scholarly journals Response of benthic foraminifera to ocean acidification in their natural sediment environment: a long-term culturing experiment

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 9523-9572 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Haynert ◽  
J. Schönfeld ◽  
R. Schiebel ◽  
B. Wilson ◽  
J. Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Specific Response ◽  
Natural Sediment ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Saturation State ◽  
Carbonate Production ◽  
Size Frequency

Abstract. Calcifying foraminifera are expected to be endangered by ocean acidification, However, the response of a complete community kept in natural sediment and over multiple generations under controlled laboratory conditions has not been constrained to date. During six month incubation, foraminiferal assemblages were treated with pCO2 enriched seawater of 430, 907, 1865 and 3247 μatm pCO2. The fauna was dominated by Ammonia aomoriensis and Elphidium species, whereas agglutinated species were rare. After 6 months incubation, pore water alkalinity was much higher in comparison to the overlying seawater. Consequently, the saturation state of Ωcalc was much higher in the sediment than in the water column in all pCO2 treatments and remained close to saturation. As a result, the life cycle of living assemblages was largely unaffected by the tested pCO2 treatments. Growth rates, reproduction and mortality, and therefore population densities and size-frequency distribution of Ammonia aomoriensis varied markedly during the experimental period. Growth rates varied between 25 and 50 μm per month, which corresponds to an addition of 1 or 2 new chambers per month. According to the size-frequency distribution, foraminifera start reproduction at a diameter of 250 μm. Mortality of large foraminifera was recognized, commencing at a test size of 285 μm at a pCO2 ranging from 430 to 1865 μatm, and of 258 μm at 3247 μatm. The total organic content of living Ammonia aomoriensis has been determined to be 4.3% of dry weight. Living individuals had a calcium carbonate production rate of 0.47 g m−2 yr−1, whereas dead empty tests accumulated at a rate of 0.27 g m−2 a−1. Although Ωcalc was close to 1, some empty tests of Ammonia aomoriensis showed dissolution features at the end of incubation. In contrast, tests of the subdominant species, Elphidium incertum, stayed intact. This species specific response could be explained by differences in the elemental test composition, in particular the higher Mg-concentrations in Ammonia aomoriensis tests. Our results emphasize that the sensitivity to ocean acidification of endobenthic foraminifera in their natural sediment habitat is much lower compared to the experimental response of specimens isolated from the sediment.

Effects of Predation and Trophic Conditions on the Reproduction of Tylototriton verrucosus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Darjeeling

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritwik Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Zooplankton Abundance ◽  
Trophic Conditions ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Size Frequency ◽  
High Predation ◽  
Hatchling Size ◽  
Predation Rates

The facts that small hatchlings emerged from small eggs laid under high predation levels prevailing at the lower altitudes of distribution of this species in Darjeeling while larger hatchlings emerged from larger eggs laid under lower levels of predation at higher altitudes, show that predation is not selected for large egg and initial hatchling size in this salamandrid species. Metamorphic size was small under high predation rates because this species relied on crypsis for evading predators. Egg and hatchling size are related inversely to levels of primary productivity and zooplankton abundance in lentic habitats. Hatchling sizes are related positively to egg size and size frequency distribution of zooplankton. Small egg and small hatchling size have been selected for at the lower altitudes of distribution of this salamandrid in Darjeeling because predation rates increased in step with improvement in trophic conditions at the lower altitudes.

SIZE FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION BIASES IN HORSESHOE CRAB MOLT ASSEMBLAGES: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FOSSIL RECORD

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly J. Wernette ◽  
◽  
Scott Evans ◽  
Christine Hall ◽  
Mary L. Droser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Horseshoe Crab ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Size Frequency

scholarly journals Blocks Size Frequency Distribution in the Enceladus Tiger Stripes Area: Implications on Their Formative Processes

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Maurizio Pajola ◽  
Alice Lucchetti ◽  
Lara Senter ◽  
Gabriele Cremonese
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Surface Stresses ◽  
Size Frequency ◽  
The One ◽  
Power Law Index ◽  
Comet 67P ◽  
South Polar ◽  
Degree Of Fragmentation

We study the size frequency distribution of the blocks located in the deeply fractured, geologically active Enceladus South Polar Terrain with the aim to suggest their formative mechanisms. Through the Cassini ISS images, we identify ~17,000 blocks with sizes ranging from ~25 m to 366 m, and located at different distances from the Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo Sulci. On all counts and for both Damascus and Baghdad cases, the power-law fitting curve has an index that is similar to the one obtained on the deeply fractured, actively sublimating Hathor cliff on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, where several non-dislodged blocks are observed. This suggests that as for 67P, sublimation and surface stresses favor similar fractures development in the Enceladus icy matrix, hence resulting in comparable block disaggregation. A steeper power-law index for Cairo counts may suggest a higher degree of fragmentation, which could be the result of localized, stronger tectonic disruption of lithospheric ice. Eventually, we show that the smallest blocks identified are located from tens of m to 20–25 km from the Sulci fissures, while the largest blocks are found closer to the tiger stripes. This result supports the ejection hypothesis mechanism as the possible source of blocks.

scholarly journals A New Tool to Account for Crater Obliteration Effects in Crater Size-Frequency Distribution Measurements

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 258-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Riedel ◽  
Gregory Michael ◽  
Thomas Kneissl ◽  
Csilla Orgel ◽  
Harald Hiesinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Crater Size ◽  
Size Frequency

scholarly journals DISTRIBUCIÓN DE TALLAS Y CONDICIÓN REPRODUCTIVA DEL CALAMAR GIGANTE Dosidicus gigas (D´ORBIGNY, 1835) EN EL GOLFO DE CALIFORNIA

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
J. I. Velázquez-Abunader ◽  
M. O. Nevárez-Martínez ◽  
A. Hernández-Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Multinomial Distribution ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Dosidicus Gigas ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Size Frequency Distribution ◽  
Jumbo Squid ◽  
Size Frequency

Se analizaron cambios en la distribución de tallas, número de cohortes y condición reproductiva del calamar gigante Dosidicus gigas utilizando muestras provenientes de siete cruceros oceanográficos de investigación, efectuados en la región central del Golfo de California, México de 1997 a 2008. En todas las estaciones se muestrearon hasta 25 ejemplares registrando longitud del manto, sexo y fase de madurez gonádica y cuando la captura lo permitió, se realizó un muestreo masivo de 100 ejemplares a los cuales se les midió la longitud de manto. Se definieron hasta tres grupos modales o cohortes en algunos de los meses estudiados a través de la técnica de distribución multinomial. De acuerdo con las fases de madurez se observó una amplia temporada de reproducción con dos picos importantes a lo largo del año que coincidieron con las posibles fechas de nacimiento estimadas para las tallas promedio por cada cohorte de acuerdo a la ecuación de edad-longitud usada en el presente estudio (abril – agosto y octubre - febrero). Se estimó la talla promedio de primera madurez por sexo a través de modelos logísticos; los machos maduran a tallas más pequeñas que las hembras aunque no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las tallas promedio de madurez por sexo (P > 0.05). Los resultados apoyan la hipótesis de la existencia de múltiples cohortes de calamar gigante en el Golfo de California, dos periodos de eclosión importantes y el número de cohortes presenta variación interanual. Esto sugiere la necesidad de un monitoreo constante del recurso para un mejor manejo de la pesquería. Size distribution and reproductive condition of the jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas (D´Orbigny, 1835) in the Gulf of California Variations in size frequency distribution, number of cohorts, and reproductive status of the jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas were analyzed in samples from seven research oceanographic cruises in the central region of the Gulf of California, Mexico from 1997 to 2008. In each station we recorded sex, gonadic phase and mantle lenght for up to 25 squids. When possible, mantle length was measured for 100 squids. We defined up to three modal groups or cohorts for several months through a multinomial distribution analysis. According to the reproductive status, squids showed a long breeding season throughout the year with two major peaks that match the birth dates estimated by the age-length chart (April to August and October to February). The size at first maturity was estimated by genders; although males were mature at a smaller size than females, no significant differences between were detected. Our results suggest that size frequency distribution and reproductive condition of jumbo squid support the hypothesis of the presence of multiple cohort in the Gulf of California, two important periods of birth, and the number of cohort’s present variation, suggesting the need for a constant monitoring of the resource for a better management of the fishery.

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