Life history baseline of unexploited populations: The case of Beryx splendens from the Sierra Leone Rise

This study examines for the first time the biology of alfonsino (Beryx splendens) from three small seamounts of the Sierra Leone Rise (SLR), an unexploited and fragile ecosystem in the Atlantic, using data from an experimental survey carried out in 2001 by Spanish longliners. In general, the lack of rigorous baseline data limits the implementation of efficient management and conservation plans in fisheries strategies. Therefore, the main aim of present study was to provide baseline information on basic biological parameters of the alfonsino population associated with an unexploited ecosystem. A total of 17296 individuals of alfonsino were sampled from SLR. Alfonsino is gonochoric and presented an unbalanced sex ratio, there were significantly more females than males. Taking into account the results in stage of maturity of alfonsino and the gonadosomatic index values during studied period, we can conclude that at least one reproductive period in these seamounts was in the late spring and early summer. The spawning stage was attained at a minimum fork length of 23 and 25 cm for males and females, respectively. The size at which 50% of the population attains sexual maturity was approximately 28 and 27 cm for males and females, respectively. The stock structure of alfonsino showed a segregation of the size with the depth, as they increase in size they move into the deeper water.Versión del edito

Factors Associated with the Differential Distribution of Cetaceans Linked with Deep Habitats in the Western Mediterranean Sea

Deep-habitat cetaceans are generally difficult to study, leading to a limited knowledge of their population. This paper assesses the differential distribution patterns of three deep-habitat cetaceans (Sperm whale—Physeter macrocephalus, Risso’s dolphin—Grampus griseus & Cuvier’s beaked whale—Ziphius cavirostris). We used data of 842 opportunistic sightings of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean sea. We inferred environmental and spatio-temporal factors that affect their distribution. Binary logistic regression models were generated to compare the presence of deep-habitat cetaceans with the presence of other cetacean species in the dataset. Then, the favourability function was applied, allowing for comparison between all the models. Sperm whale and Risso’s dolphin presence was differentially favoured by the distance to towns in the eastern part of the western Mediterranean sea. The differential distribution of sperm whale was also influenced by the stability of SST, and that of the Risso’s dolphin by lower mean salinity and higher mean Chlorophyll A concentration. When modelling the three deep-habitat cetaceans (including Cuvier’s beaked whale), the variable distance to towns had a negative influence on the presence of any of them more than it did to other cetaceans, being more favourable far from towns, so this issue should be further investigated.Postprint2,92

Does ICCAT need ecosystem plans? a pilot ecosystem plan for the Atlantic tropical ecoregion.

The implementation of an Ecosystem Approach Fisheries Management (EAFM) in ICCAT has been slow and patchy, as it lacks a long-term plan, vision and guidance on how to operationalize it. Ecosystem plans are needed to formalize the process of operationalizing the EAFM by identifying and formalizing ecosystem goals and objectives, planning actions based on priorities, measuring performance of the whole fishery system, addressing trade-offs, and incorporating them in fisheries management. The Specific Contract N0 2 under the Framework Contract - EASME/EMFF/2016/008 provisions of Scientific Advice for Fisheries Beyond EU Waters has developed a pilot ecosystem plan for the tropical ecoregion of the Atlantic Ocean. In this document, we highlight the main potential benefits of developing ecosystem plans in ICCAT. Second, we briefly describe the main core elements developed in the pilot ecosystem plan for the Tropical ecoregion of the Atlantic Ocean. Third, we summarize our main thoughts and lessons learned in the development of this pilot ecosystem plan for one ecoregion within ICCAT. Last, we propose a list of actions, research activities and capacity building activities to foster the development, use and implementation of ecosystem plans in ICCAT.Versión del edito

Concept note for ICCAT ecoregion workshop identification of regions in the ICCAT convention area for supporting the implementation of ecosystem based fisheries management

The overall aim of the workshop is to advance in the identification of candidate ecologically meaningful regions that can serve as a basis to produce a more integrated ecosystem-based advice, and thereby support the implementation and operationalization of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) convention area. The candidate regions should have boundaries that make ecological sense, and are practical in informing fisheries management. The workshop will gather CPC national scientists and external experts from different scientific disciplines (e.g. biogeography, oceanography, ecology, fisheries and fisheries management in the ICCAT area) to develop a “proof of concept” for broad-scale regionalization of the ICCAT convention area.L'objectif général de l'atelier est de progresser dans l'identification de possibles régions écologiquement significatives qui peuvent servir de base pour produire un avis écosystémique plus intégré, et ainsi soutenir la mise en œuvre et la mise en marche de la gestion des pêcheries basée sur les écosystèmes (EBFM) dans la zone de la Convention de la Commission internationale pour la conservation des thonidés de l'Atlantique (ICCAT). Les régions candidates doivent avoir des limites qui ont un sens écologique, et qui sont pratiques pour renseigner la gestion des pêcheries. L'atelier réunira des scientifiques nationaux des CPC et des experts externes de différentes disciplines scientifiques (par exemple, la biogéographie, l'océanographie, l'écologie, la pêche et la gestion des pêcheries dans la zone de l'ICCAT) afin de développer une preuve conceptuelle pour une régionalisation à grande échelle de la zone de la Convention ICCATEl objetivo global del taller es avanzar en la identificación de posibles regiones ecológicamente significativas que puedan servir como base para formular un asesoramiento basado en el ecosistema más integrado, apoyando la implementación y puesta en marcha de la ordenación pesquera basada en el ecosistema (EBFM) en la zona del Convenio de la Comisión Internacional para la Conservación del Atún Atlántico (ICCAT). Las regiones candidatas deberían tener límites que tengan sentido ecológico y que sean prácticas para aportar información a la ordenación pesquera. El taller reunirá a científicos nacionales de las CPC y a expertos externos de diversas disciplinas (por ejemplo, biogeografía, oceanografía, ecología, pesca y ordenación pesquera en la zona de ICCAT) para desarrollar una demostración conceptual para una regionalización a gran escala de la zona del Convenio de ICCAT.Versión del edito

Use of lidocaine in canine constipation

Fil: López, José E. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Guaimás Moya, Luz E. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Báez, Alejandro Daniel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Lockett, Mariel Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Maidana, Héctor Ricardo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.La constipación es una afección de difícil tratamiento debido a la diversidad de etiologías y a la probabilidad de fracaso al aplicar las medidas correctivas clásicas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar la efectividad de un tratamiento alternativo para resolver la constipación del canino,basado en el uso endovenoso del clorhidrato de lidocaína, droga con efectos procinéticos anivel intestinal. Se emplearon diez pacientes de diferente peso, raza y edad, los que fueronsometidos a examen clínico completo y estudios complementarios para confirmar el diagnósticode constipación. Los caninos fueron tratados vía EV con clorhidrato de lidocaína al2%, a dosis de 6 mg/kg de peso vivo (0,3 ml/kg). En todos los casos se restableció la motilidadintestinal; seis animales defecaron a las 12 horas, dos a las 18 horas y los dos restantes alas 24 horas posteriores a la aplicación de la droga. Los resultados indican que el tratamientocon clorhidrato de lidocaína al 2% por vía endovenosa, a dosis de 6 mg/kg de peso vivo, resultóefectivo para el tratamiento de esta patología.Constipation is a disease of difficult treatment due to its etiological diversity and to the probability of failure when using the corrective classic measures. The objective of this trial was to investigate the effectiveness of an alternative treatment for canine constipation, based on the use of i.v. lidocaine chlorhydrate, a drug with intestinal prokinetic effect. The assay was carried out on ten patients from different liveweight, breed, and age, which were submitted to a complete clinical examination and complementary studies to confirm constipation. Dogs were treated with a dose of 2% lidocaine chlorhydrate, 6 mg/kg i.v. (0,3 ml/kg). In all the cases, intestinal motility was reestablished; six animals defecated 12 hours after drug administration, two after 18 hours and the remaining two after 24 hours. Results indicate that 2% lidocaine chlorhydrate at a dose of 6 mg/kg i.v., was an effective treatment for constipation

Metabolic engineering for improving anthranilate synthesis from glucose in Escherichia coli

© 2009 Balderas-Hernández et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Surgical treatment of canine perineal hernia using glycerin-conserved horse pericardium

Fil: López, José E. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Guaimás Moya, Luz E. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Báez, Alejandro Daniel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Lockett, Mariel Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Fil: Maidana, Héctor Ricardo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina.Las técnicas tradicionales para resolver quirúrgicamente las hernias perineales del perro registran elevada frecuencia de recidivas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la efectividad de un injerto heterólogo proveniente de pericardio equino conservado en glicerina al 98%, a efectos de reforzar la sutura del diafragma pélvico. Veinte perros fueron divididos en dos grupos: G1 (tratados, n = 15) y G2 (controles, n = 5). Los caninos G2 fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente según la técnica clásica, en tanto que a los del grupo G1 se les aplicó además el injerto de pericardio equino, fijado por medio de puntos de sutura. Los cambios posquirúrgicos fueron evaluados macroscópicamente y categorizados según la existencia de recidiva. En 2 caninos del grupo G2 (40%) se produjeron recidivas, complicación que no fue verificada en ninguno de los animales del grupo G1, los cuales registraron solamente leves reacciones inflamatorias y fibróticas. Los resultados demuestran que la herniorrafia con utilización de pericardio equino es significativamente más efectiva que la técnica quirúrgica convencional.A high frequency of recidives are registered in dog perineal hernias when the classical surgery technique is performed. The objective of this work was to determine the effectiveness of an heterologous graft from equine pericardium conserved in 98% glycerine, to reinforce the suture of the pelvic diaphragm. Twenty dogs were divided in 2 groups, G1 (treated animals, n = 15) and G2 (control group, n = 5). The first group was surgically treated with the classic technique plus the application of a horse pericardium graft. Second group was operated with the classic technique without the application of the graft. Post-surgical macroscopic characteristic were evaluated and standardized on the basis of recidives. These were registered in 2 dogs from group G2 (40%); on the contrary, this complication was not observed in any of G1 animals, which only developed light inflammatory and fibrotic reactions. The results show that suture of perineal hernia by means of application of horse pericardium graft is significantly more effective than the classic technique

Análisis temporal de varamientos de tortuga laúd, Dermochelys

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, Vandelli, 1761)) is a large migratory species reproducing in Atlantic areas and abundant in the Mediterranean Sea, where nesting beaches do not exist. Leatherback stranding occasionally occurs in the Andalusia coasts (183 turtles during 1990- 2011 period). This communication study a possible inter and intra annual temporal patterns in leatherback strandings in the area and analyze the effects of atmospheric oscillations on their arrivals in the Mediterranean. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) plays an essential role in climate fluctuations affecting the North Atlantic and associated biological components. Recent studies showed that the Arctic Oscillation (AO) is highly correlated with NAO, explaining more accurately variations found in ecological time series. The summer months concentrate significatively a higher number of leatherback turtle strandings. Moreover, the results show a significant negative correlation between the stranding frequency and the average rate of the AO.Postprin

Variaciones interanuales en las capturas de tiburones pelágicos en el

Pelagic migrating sharks are by-caught incidentally in longline fisheries. Some of these species have been catalogued as threatened or vulnerable by several Regional Fisheries Organizations and International Conservational NGOs. Alboran Sea is an important area for pelagic migrating sharks because it is the natural and unique communication way between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. This area is considered by several authors as a hot-spot of Climate Oscillation, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO). In addition, Alboran Sea is an important fishing ground where the longline fisheries targeting swordfish operates. Recent studies concluded that historical landing of pelagic sharks from harbours of Alboran Sea and Balearic Sea were mediated for atmospheric oscillations. The main aim of the present study was to assess the effect of atmospheric oscillation on the Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) of vulnerable sharks thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788) and shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus (Rafinesque, 1810) by-caught in the traditional longline fisheries. The atmospheric oscillations tested in this study were the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO). We found a significant positive correlation between the NAO and AO indexes of the previous year to the CPUE tested.En prens