Reproductive biology of the bell miner (Manorina melanophrys) (Meliphagidae) at Healsville, south-eastern Victoria

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 579 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Poiani

The breeding biology of the bell miner (Manorina melanophrys, Meliphagidae) at a site 60 km east of Melbourne, Victoria, is described. Bell miners showed a clear seasonal pattern of nesting, moulting and development of brood patch. Increased food availability and number of helpers were not associated with increased nesting success. This is partially explained by increased predation on nests in colonies with more helpers. Growth rates of nestlings did not increase with increased number of helpers and habitat quality, although these variables may affect postfledging survival rates. Breeding females organised into neighbourhoods seemed to be able to synchronise nesting. Egg shape differed among females but egg size did not, although egg volume increased as the breeding season progressed.

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Branka Pestorić ◽  
Davor Lučić ◽  
Natalia Bojanić ◽  
Martin Vodopivec ◽  
Tjaša Kogovšek ◽  
...  

One of the obstacles to detecting regional trends in jellyfish populations is the lack of a defined baseline. In the Adriatic Sea, the jellyfish fauna (Scyphozoa and Ctenophora) is poorly studied compared to other taxa. Therefore, our goal was to collect and systematize all available data and provide a baseline for future studies. Here we present phenological data and relative abundances of jellyfish based on 2010–2019 scientific surveys and a “citizen science” sighting program along the eastern Adriatic. Inter-annual variability, seasonality and spatial distribution patterns of Scyphomedusae and Ctenophore species were described and compared with existing historical literature. Mass occurrences with a clear seasonal pattern and related to the geographical location were observed for meroplanktonic Scyphomedusae Aurelia solida, Rhizostoma pulmo, and to a lesser extent Chrysaora hysoscella, Cotylorhiza tuberculata and Discomedusa lobata. Holoplanktonic Pelagia noctiluca also formed large aggregations, which were seasonally less predictable and restricted to the central and southern Adriatic. Four species of Ctenophora produced blooms limited to a few areas: Bolinopsis vitrea, Leucothea multicornis, Cestum veneris and the non-native Mnemiopsis leidyi. However, differences between Adriatic subregions have become less pronounced since 2014. Our results suggest that gelatinous organisms are assuming an increasingly important role in the Adriatic ecosystem, which may alter the balance of the food web and lead to harmful and undesirable effects.


1967 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Jackson

Growth analysis of cotton crops sown in the Sudan Gezira at monthly intervals between August and May revealed a marked seasonal pattern of growth. Irrespective of plant age and fruiting state growth of non-senescent plants was slowest during the cool winter months. Relative growth rates of young plants were highest in August, September and early October due to the high specific leaf areas and fairly high net assimilation rates found then. They were lowest when minimum temperatures were lowest. Net assimilation rates were also lowest in the coolest months, probably as a result of restricted growth. High temperatures in the spring reduced fruiting. It is concluded that low minimum temperatures and high evaporation rates are both associated with slow growth, and play a large part in determining the characteristic decline of growth rates of cotton sown at the usual date in August.I wish to thank the Chief of the Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Sudan, for permission to publish this paper and to record my gratitude to the team of field and laboratory assistants, especially Salih Saad and Hassan Osman, who helped in the work.


1975 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2503-2512 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Ware

A set of density-dependent growth and survivorship equations is derived from evidence that the instantaneous death rate in the sea is inversely proportional to particle size. The survivorship equation reproduces several well-known phenomena observed in fish populations. It predicts: 1) that winter and spring spawning species ought to produce larger eggs than summer spawners, 2) that it is advantageous for species that spawn in batches to produce progressively smaller eggs in spring and summer, and 3) that the death rate of a cohort of fish should decrease continuously as the survivors grow and approach the critical size.The biological basis for the observed variation in the size of pelagic fish eggs and larvae is thought to be due primarily to trophic relations within the pelagic community. It is suggested from what is known of the relative abundance and foraging capabilities of different sized particles, that the survival rates of larval and juvenile fish should increase as they grow and occupy a progressively higher position in the food chain.


2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
G. Verdugo-Díaz ◽  
A. Martínez-López ◽  
I. Gárate-Lizárraga

Se presentan los cambios en la distribución espacial de la comunidad fitoplanctónica en Bahía Concepción, B.C.S. de 1991 a 1993. Se estimó la abundancia total, la variación espacio-temporal por fracciones de tamaño (nano y microfitoplancton) y se describe su estructura. Se determinaron 235 taxa, en donde las diatomeas fueron el grupo con mayor riqueza de especies (131). Los géneros más importantes fueron Chaetoceros, Rhizosolenia y Nitzschia. El segundo grupo en importancia fue el de los dinoflagelados (92 especies), representados principalmente por Protoperidinium, Ceratium y Prorocentrum; el tercer grupo fueron los silicoflagelados (9 especies), principalmente del genero Dictyocha. Las diatomeas dominaron en la temporada fría cuando la columna de agua se mantiene homogénea, en tanto que los dinoflagelados prosperaron durante la temporada cálida cuando la columna de agua estuvo estratificada. De este último grupo, 10 especies son tóxicas o potencialmente tóxicas. La abundancia fitoplanctónica total no mostró un comportamiento estacional definido, sin embargo, las variaciones interanuales mostraron un decremento de aproximadamente 25% durante 1992 y 1993, asociado con anomalías positivas de temperatura. A pesar de que las abundancias totales disminuyeron, la contribución porcentual de la fracción nanofitoplanctónica se mantuvo. Ecological indicators of the phytoplankton community structure in Bahía Concepción, Gulf of California, Mexico Seasonal changes in the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton community were determined in Bahía Concepción, B.C.S., from 1991 to 1993. The total abundance and the seasonal variations of phytoplankton size fractions (nanno and microphytoplankton) as well as its structure were determined. A total of 235 taxa were identified. Diatoms were the best represented group due to their high species richness (131). The most important genera were Chaetoceros, Rhizosolenia and Nitzschia. The second important group were dinoflagellates (92 species), represented mainly by Protoperidinium, Ceratium and Prorocentrum. The third numerically important group were the silicoflagellates (9 species). The most representative genus of this group was Dictyocha. A major presence of the diatoms was observed during the cold months with a homogeneous water-column. Major presence of dinoflagellates was recorded during the warm season when the water-column appeared stratified. Ten species of dinoflagellates were considered as toxic or potentially toxic. Total phytoplankton abundance did not show a clear seasonal pattern; nevertheless, the interannual variations exhibited an important decline of about 25 % during 1992 and 1993. These changes were related to positive anomalies of temperature. Altough phytoplankton abundance diminished, the percentage contribution of nannophytoplankton was stable.


2004 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yilmaz ◽  
M. Ozcan ◽  
B. Ekiz ◽  
A. Ceyhan ◽  
A. Altine

SummaryThis study was carried out to investigate the fertility, milk production and body weight of ewes and the survival and growth characteristics of lambs of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds. The Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds are included among the genetic resources in the project for the conservation of the indigenous breeds in Turkey.Conception rates for Imroz and Kivircik ewes were 57.6% and 81.7% respectively, litter sizes were 1.2 and 1.2 respectively, milk yields were 89 kg and 62 kg respectively and average live weights (2–7 years of age) were 43 kg and 55 kg, respectively. Imroz and Kivircik lambs had survival rates at weaning (90th day) of 98% and 96%, birth weights of 3.3 kg and 4.1 kg and weaning weights of 19.8 kg and 28.0 kg, respectively.The results showed that the Kivircik sheep were heavier and the lambs had a better growth rate until weaning than the Imroz breed. However, the milk production of the Imroz ewes was higher than that of Kivircik. The lambs of both breeds had a satisfactory survival and growth rates until weaning and these results might be regarded as a desired adaptation of the Imroz and Kivircik lambs to the environmental conditions of the Marmara Region.


1984 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Schopper ◽  
J. Gaus ◽  
R. Claus ◽  
H. Bader

Abstract. The influence of season on testicular steroid production as a parameter of testicular function has been studied in a wild boar. Semen was collected once weekly while it served the dummy. In seminal plasma concentrations of the following steroids were determined by radioimmunoassay: unconjugated testosterone, conjugated testosterone, unconjugated total oestrogens, conjugated total oestrogens and 5α-androst-16-en-3-one ('boar-taint steroid'). All steroids showed a clear seasonal pattern with highest concentrations in autumn and early winter and low levels from January to July. Maxima during the rutting season were 10–25 times greater than average values out of season. During a 2-month-period (mid-July until mid-September) libido was abolished and the wild boar refused to mount the dummy. These results indicate that the seasonal variation in testicular steroid production by the wild boar, regulated by photoperiod, are similar to those of the domestic boar.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 800-804
Author(s):  
Pablo Yagupsky ◽  
Ron Dagan ◽  
Charles B. Howard ◽  
Menachem Einhorn ◽  
Imad Kassis ◽  
...  

Objective. To characterize the clinical spectrum and epidemiology of invasive Kingella kingae infections in children living in southern Israel. Design. Five-year observational, descriptive study. Population. Children in whom K. kingae was isolated from blood or other normally sterile body fluid. Results. Twenty-five patients with invasive K. kingae infection (13 male and 12 female) were identified. Twenty-four of these children were younger than 2 years. The annual incidence was 14.3, 27.4, and 31.9 cases per 100 000 children ≤4 years, ≤24 months, and ≤12 months, respectively. Seventeen (68%) of 25 patients sought treatment between July and December. Concomitant upper respiratory tract infection or stomatitis was observed in 14 (56%) of the patients, suggesting a respiratory or buccal source for the infection. Four children were bacteremic: 2 of them suffered from a lower respiratory tract infection, and the remaining 2 had bacteremia with no evident focal infection. Twenty-one children had skeletal infections and none of them was bacteremic; 16 had septic arthritis, 3 had osteomyelitis, 1 had both osteomyelitis and septic arthritis of the adjacent joint, and 1 had dactylitis of the hand. Involvement of the ankle was unusually frequent among children with septic arthritis, whereas the calcaneus was involved in 3 of the 4 children with osteomyelitis. Antibiotic treatment resulted in full recovery in all cases, and only 2 patients with septic arthritis required surgical drainage. Conclusion. Kingella kingae is a much more common cause of invasive infection in young children than has been previously recognized. The disease has a clear seasonal pattern, usually affects the skeletal system, frequently involves unusual bones and joints, and follows a benign course.


1988 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 121-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mulvaney ◽  
David A. Peel

High-resolution anion profiles of Cl-, NO3- and SO4 2− are presented for two cores from the Antarctic Peninsula. A 47.2 m core from a site on the Palmer Land plateau (74°01’S, 70°38’W), spans the period 1942–80, and a 10.5 m core from Dolleman Island (70°35.2’S, 60°55.5’W), on the east coast of the peninsula, spans the period 1973–85. The seasonal pattern of deposition of these species has been determined by reference to the oxygen-isotope composition. Averaged over 38 years, the annual cycle of SO4 2− at Gomez shows a seasonal maximum during the austral summer, and minimum during the winter, whereas the Cl- cycle is more complex and may show the influence of equinoctial storms. The Dolleman core is significantly influenced by the proximity of the Weddell Sea, with a mean Cl- concentration five times greater than in the core from the plateau, and it shows a clear seasonal maximum in late-summer snowfall. There is no significant long-term trend in the 38 years’ data from the plateau site, suggesting that global pollution does not contribute significantly to the anion budget. Both anions and the cations Na+, K+ and H+ have been measured for more than a complete year of snowfall and the balance of ionic species is excellent.


Author(s):  
John D. Dodge

The armoured planktonic dinoflagellates present at a site adjacent to a floating fish-farm in Loch Eriboll, North Scotland, were studied by surface net-sampling, mainly at two-weekly intervals, over a period of four years 1990–1993. A total of 62 species was recorded. Some dinoflagellates were present at all times of the year but they reached their lowest numbers in May, during the spring diatom bloom, and their highest numbers in mid-summer. There was usually a seasonal pattern in which the most abundant dinoflagellate during the early summer was the heterotrophic species Protoperidinium ovatum, and this was followed in the later summer by the autotroph Ceratium fusus. In 1993 the pattern was rather different, with Gonyaulax species abundant in June and, later in the year, both Protoperidinium cerasus and P. excentricum having periods of abundance. Potential toxin-producing dinoflagellates, Alexandrium tamarense (PSP) and Dinophysis acuminata (DSP), were found in small numbers.


2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 974 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Hocking Edwards ◽  
R. M. Gould ◽  
K. J. Copping

Merino weaner survival is poor under normal traditional management practices. Data from four trials conducted between 2001 and 2005 were used to assess the effectiveness of current industry recommendations to achieve 95% survival rates of Merino weaners. There was very little difference between 2001 and 2003 in survival of Merino weaners despite average weaning weight ranging from 20 to 24 kg between years. The recommended target weaning weight of 23 kg does not always appear to be a good predictor of survival. However, a target of 45% mature liveweight at pasture senescence achieved the industry recommendation of 95% weaner survival. Merino weaners were fed over the summer–autumn period to reach 40 kg liveweight by the time green feed became available. Weaner survival reached 93% compared with 89% survival to hogget shearing in weaners managed under normal growth paths. Furthermore, twice as many ewe weaners died in the traditional feeding program compared with the well fed ewe weaners. Differences in mortality between feeding levels in the wether weaners was less than that observed in the ewe weaners. Flock average growth rates were not useful indicators of weaner survival and there was no relationship between Merino ram estimated breeding values for weaning weight and the survival of the progeny.


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