Interactions between shorebirds and benthic invertebrates at Culbin Sands lagoon, NE Scotland: effects of avian predation on their prey community density and structure

In the North Sea, during autumn-winter, intertidal flats often receive a massive influx of migratory shorebirds (wildfowl, waders and seabirds), which utilise the high prey densities that are available. The present study was conducted at Culbin Sands lagoon, NE Scotland, in 1994-1996, to investigate benthic invertebrate standing stock, and the energy flow from benthic invertebrates to shorebirds. Benthic invertebrate standing stock was estimated to be 500 kJ m(-2) yr(-1), and shorebird consumption efficiency to be 18% of the available standing stock. A series of manipulative field experiments were then conducted to test the effects of shorebirds on benthic invertebrate densities and community structure. Birds were excluded from caged areas (exclosures), and benthic invertebrate densities (total and by class size) in caged and uncaged areas were compared for each season separately. During autumn-winter, especially the gastropod Hydrobia ulvae and larger-sized (> 15 mm) clams Macoma balthica were observed to be the roost impacted species, being significantly more abundant in bird-exclosures than in bird-accessed areas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spatial and temporal characteristics of benthic invertebrate communities at Culbin Sands lagoon, Moray Firth, NE Scotland, and impacts of the disturbance of cockle harvesting

In the present study, Culbin Sands lagoon, a protected site in NE Scotland, was surveyed every 2 to 4 weeks during a three-year period (1994-1996) to study benthic invertebrate communities. Beds of Mytilus edulis covered 18000 m(2). 53 macroinfaunal species were identified outside these areas. The most conspicuous were: the lugworm Arenicola marina (mean up to 55 casts m(-2)); and bivalves Cerastoderma edule (mean up to 158 ind. m(-2)) and Macoma balthica (mean up to 79 ind. m(-2)) after settlement. The standing stock ranged from 20 to 32 g AFDW m(-2) yr(-1) respectively from more exposed to more sheltered areas. Most species showed a clear recruitment peak in autumn, but others (e.g. Capitella capitata, and Spionidae) displayed several peaks in a year. Communities were also compared between the Sampling sites before and after an incidental disturbance caused by cockle Cerastoderma edule harvesting, which took place in June 1995. One site showed -0.7% variation in the total standing stock, but +22% for smaller-cockles, as larger filter-feeding cockles were removed therefore enhancing their own larval settlement. Polychaete Spionidae Populations also increased after larger cockles were removed. The polychaete Arenicola marina population returned to its normal activities just after the dramatic disturbance of the sediment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interactions between Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Foxes (Vulpes vulpes arabica, V. rueppellii sabaea, and V. cana) on Turtle Nesting Grounds in the Northwestern Indian Ocean: Impacts of the Fox Community on the Behavior of Nesting Sea Turtles at the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Oman

Vanda Mariyam Mendonca, Salim Al Saady, Ali Al Kiyumi, and Karim Erzini (2010) Interactions between green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes arabica, V. rueppellii sabaea, and V cana) on turtle nesting grounds in the northwestern Indian Ocean: impacts of the fox community on the behavior of nesting sea turtles at the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Oman. Zoological Studies 49(4): 437-452. Green turtles Chelonia mydas nest year round at the Ras Al Hadd Nature Reserve, Oman, with a distinct lower-density nesting season from Oct. to May, and a higher-density nesting season from June to Sept. On these beaches, the main predators of turtle eggs and hatchlings are foxes Vulpes spp., wolves Canis lupus arabs, and wild cats Felis spp. and Caracal caracal schmitzi. During 1999-2001, both the nesting behavior of these turtles and the diets of foxes (the main predator on the beaches) were investigated, and we tested whether female turtles were able to avoid/reduce predation pressure on their eggs and hatchlings on the nesting grounds. Elsewhere in the region and globally, foxes are known to feed on rodents, lizards, birds, and insects, but at Ras Al Hadd, their diet is basically composed of sea turtle eggs and hatchlings (comprising about 95% in volume), with smaller contributions from other marine invertebrates (mostly ghost crabs Ocypode spp. and large gastropods), although they also sporadically ingested birds and lizards. The ability to adapt to a diet of sea turtle eggs and hatchlings, on these beaches, is certainly a factor behind the success of this carnivore community in the arid lands of the Arabian Peninsula. Field experiments indicated that nesting sea turtles recognized both natural predators and humans as threats to their offspring, and this was reflected in modifications to their nesting behavior. In relatively undisturbed areas (by both natural predators and humans), sea turtle nest density was significantly higher, and nests were placed further away from the surf's edge, in contrast to results from relatively disturbed areas, where turtle nests were closer to the surf's edge, thus reducing the distance hatchlings had to travel when they emerge and begin their journey to the sea. Nesting turtles interrupted their nesting cycle if they sensed the presence of people or foxes, returning to the sea without laying a clutch. However, if they had already initiated oviposition when they sensed the presence of people and/or predators, they continued, although they significantly increased efforts to camouflage their nests. Other reasons behind nest site abandonment included sand collapsing events (critical during preparation of the egg chamber) and intraspecific competition for nest sites. These behavioral patterns of sea turtles result from their evolutionary adaptation to nesting on beaches, which surely played a role in their survival, but also highlight the importance of minimizing human disturbance and activities on turtle nesting beaches. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/49.4/437.pd

Serologic efficacy of a two dose measles vaccination schedule at 6 and 11 months of age: a prospective study

A prospective study was designed to evaluate the serologic efficacy of a two dose meas les vaccination schedule, at 6 months and 11 months of age. Infants were given a further attenuated measles virus vaccine (BIKEN CAM 70, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz) and serum samples were tested for measles antibodies using the indirect immunofluorescence technique (IFA) and ELISA. Seroconversion rates 6 to 12 months (mean of 8.0 ±1.7 months) following the second dose of measles vaccine were 88.5% (85/96) by IFA and 96.8% (93/96) by ELISA. No measles cases were reported during the study period. In regions where a significant proportion of measles cases occurs before nine months of age, vaccination with a two doses schedule, at 6 and 11 months of age, may represent an alternative for measles control.A eficácia sorológica de um esquema de vacinação contra o sarampo empregando duas doses da vacina BIKEN CAM 70, sendo a primeira dose administrada aos 6 meses de idade e a segunda aos 11 meses de idade foi avaliada através de um estudo prospectivo. A amostra de sangue foi colhida entre 6 e 12 meses (média de 8,0 ± 1,7 meses) após a segunda dose da vacina, tendo-se empregado para pesquisa de anticorpos específicos a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) e a técnica imunoenzimática ELISA. Anticorpos para o sarampo na amostra de sangue pós-vacinal foram detectados em 88,5% (85/96) das crianças quando foi empregada a RIFI e em 96,8% (93/96) quando se empregou a técnica imunoenzimática ELISA. Nenhuma das crianças apresentou, durante o período do estudo, quadro clínico compatível com sarampo. Em regiões em que uma proporção significativa de casos ocorrem antes dos 9 meses de idade, o esquema de vacinação de 2 doses, a primeira aos 6 e a segunda aos 11 meses de idade, pode representar alternativa válida para o controle do sarampo.Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São PauloSecretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo Centro de Vigilância EpidemiológicaSecretaria de Estado da Saúde de São PauloEscola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São PauloUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Collaborative brazilian pediatric renal transplant registry (CoBrazPed-RTx) : a report from 2004 to 2018

The Brazilian collaborative registry for pediatric renal transplantation began in 2004 as a multicenter initiative aimed at analyzing, reporting, and disseminating the results of pediatric renal transplantation in Brazil. Data from all pediatric renal transplants performed from January 2004 to May 2018 at the 13 participating centers were analyzed. A total of 2744 pediatric renal transplants were performed in the thirteen participating centers. The median age at transplantation was 12.2 years, with the majority being male recipients (56%). The main underlying diseases were CAKUT (40.5%) and glomerulopathy (28%). 1981 (72%) of the grafts were from deceased donors (DD). Graft survival at one year (censored by death) was 94% in the live donor group (LD) and 91% in the DD group (log-rank test P < 0.01). The patient's survival at one and 5 years was 97% and 95% for the LD group and 96% and 93% for the DD group (log-rank test P = 0.02). The graft loss rate was 19% (n = 517), more frequently caused by vascular thrombosis (n = 102) and chronic graft nephropathy (n = 90). DD recipients had 1.6 (1.0-2.2) times greater chance of death and 1.5 (1.2-1.8) times greater chance of graft loss compared to LD recipients. The mortality rate was 5.4% (n = 148), mainly due to infection (n = 69) and cardiovascular disease (n = 28). The results of this collaborative pediatric renal transplant record are comparable to other international registries, although we still have a high infection rate as a cause of death23