Using a Bayesian modelling approach (INLA‑SPDE) to predict the occurrence of the Spinetail Devil Ray (Mobular mobular)

To protect the most vulnerable marine species it is essential to have an understanding of their spatiotemporal distributions. In recent decades, Bayesian statistics have been successfully used to quantify uncertainty surrounding identified areas of interest for bycatch species. However, conventional simulation-based approaches are often computationally intensive. To address this issue, in this study, an alternative Bayesian approach (Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation with Stochastic Partial Differential Equation, INLA-SPDE) is used to predict the occurrence of Mobula mobular species in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). Specifically, a Generalized Additive Model is implemented to analyze data from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission’s (IATTC) tropical tuna purse-seine fishery observer bycatch database (2005–2015). The INLA-SPDE approach had the potential to predict both the areas of importance in the EPO, that are already known for this species, and the more marginal hotspots, such as the Gulf of California and the Equatorial area which are not identified using other habitat models. Some drawbacks were identified with the INLA-SPDE database, including the difficulties of dealing with categorical variables and triangulating effectively to analyze spatial data. Despite these challenges, we conclude that INLA approach method is an useful complementary and/or alternative approach to traditional ones when modeling bycatch data to inform accurately management decisions.En prensa2,92

Presencia Invernal de Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en el Área Maicera de la Provincia de Tucumán, Argentina

Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), "el cogollero del maíz (Zea mays L.)", es una plaga ampliamente distribuida en América que puede sobrevivir durante todo el año en áreas tropicales y, a medida que las condiciones ambientales se lo permiten, coloniza zonas subtropicales no infestadas. Debido a la falta de información sobre la actividad invernal del cogollero en el noroeste argentino y considerando la localización geográfica de Tucumán (Argentina), se planificaron estudios con trampas de feromonas para determinar la presencia de la plaga en el área maicera de la provincia durante los meses fríos (julio-setiembre) de 2001 y 2002. Asimismo, se realizaron monitoreos durante la época de cultivo para calcular el porcentaje de ataque de la plaga. Se comprobó la actividad de adultos del cogollero durante los meses más fríos del año, con marcadas diferencias poblacionales entre las dos temporadas estudiadas, estimándose que estas se debieron a la acción de un factor climático, mayormente por las temperaturas mínimas y ocurrencia de heladas durante mayo y junio. El porcentaje de ataque por la plaga en los cultivos, no tendría relación con el número de adultos capturados en los meses invernales previos. Estos resultados preliminares sugieren que la zona de estudio se encuentra en el límite austral de distribución permanente de la plaga, por lo cual se propone la realización de estudios más exhaustivos para tener un acabado conocimiento de estos aspectos de comportamiento

Host association of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) corn and rice strains in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is composed of two genetically distinct strains, the so-called corn strain and the rice strain. Whether the two strains differ in their host use is unclear, because laboratory experiments have not been able to show consistent host performance or preference differences between them, and field studies showed high rates of hybridization, as well as some degree asymmetric host use. To determine the distribution of the two strains and their association with host plants, we collected fall armyworm larvae from different crops (corn, rice, alfalfa, and sorghum) and grasses in 15 different localities over 4 yr in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The strain identity was analyzed using two polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. We identified the corn and rice haplotypes and three types of populations were characterized based on the frequencies of the individuals that belonged to any of these haplotypes: in 44% of populations the corn haplotype predominated, in 44% of populations the rice haplotype was the most frequent, and 11% of populations showed both haplotypes at similar proportions. In total, eight populations (47%) showed the expected pattern, two populations (12%) were polymorphic within the same field, and seven populations (41%) showed the inverse pattern. Taken together, there was no consistent pattern of host association between the two sympatric genotypes and their respective host plants. This investigation supports the need for additional studies to determine which other forces keep the genotypes separate, and what is the degree of genetic differentiation between these populations

Environmental characteristics associated with the presence of the Spinetail Devil Ray (Mobula mobular) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

In the eastern Pacific Ocean, the tropical tuna purse-seine fishery incidentally captures high numbers of five mobulid bycatch species; all of which are classified as mortalities by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission due to uncertainties in post-release mortality rates. To date, the factors (operational or environmental) leading to the capture of these species by the fishery have not been well studied. Here, we developed Generalized Additive Models for fisheries observer data to analyze the relationships between the presence/ absence of Mobula mobular bycatch and oceanographic conditions, the spatial and temporal variability in fishing location, and the set type (associated with dolphins, free-swimming tuna schools or floating objects). Our results suggest that chlorophyll concentration and sea surface height are the most important variables to describe the presence of M. mobular in conjunction with geographic location (latitude and longitude) and set type. Presence of the species was predicted in waters with chlorophyll concentrations between 0.5–1 mg�m-3 and with sea surface height values close to 0; which indicates direct relationships with productive upwelling systems. Seasonally, M. mobular was observed more frequently during December-January and August-September. We also found the highest probability of presence observed in School sets, followed by Dolphin sets. Three areas were observed as important hotspots: the area close to the coastal upwelling of northern Peru, the area west to Islands Colon Archipelago (Galapagos) and the area close to the Costa Rica Dome. This information is crucial to identify the mobulids habitat and hotspots that could be managed and protected under dynamic spatial management measures to reduce the mortality of mobulid rays in the eastern Pacific purse-seine fishery and, hence, ensure the sustainability of the populations of these iconic species

Comparing the distribution of tropical tuna associated with drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) resulting from catch dependent and independent data.

Species distribution models (SDMs) are used for a variety of scientific and management applications. For species associated with drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs), such as tuna, spatial models can help tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (t-RFMOs) understand their habitat characteristics and dynamics. DFADs are monitored and tracked with satellite linked echo-sounder buoys, which remotely provide fishers rough estimates of the abundance of fish underneath them. Although this type of catch-independent data has been recently used in scientific studies, SDMs using these data have never been compared with models using catch-dependent data (i.e. nominal catch data). This study investigates the results obtained with both data sources using Bayesian Hierarchical spatio-temporal models, allowing to analyze their advantages and disadvantages, as well as compare the predicted distributions. Although the two model outputs show, in general, similar areas of tuna presence under the DFADs, the most remarkable result of the comparison between the models derived from the two different data sources is the precision of the hotspots identified in the prediction maps. The maps obtained with acoustic data allow identifying areas of high probability of tuna presence under the DFADs with greater precision, whereas the maps derived from catch data do not allow observing any variation on a finer scale. The application of spatio-temporal models of tuna associated with DFADs using acoustic data provided by fishers’ echo-sounder buoys appears promising to identify the distribution dynamics of the species in a cost-effective way and may help designing integrated spatial programs for more efficient fishery management

Seasonal distribution of tuna and non-tuna species associated with Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) in the Western Indian Ocean using fishery-independent data.

Man-made floating objects in the surface of tropical oceans, also called drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs), attract tens of marine species, including tunas and nontuna species. In the Indian Ocean, around 80% of the sets currently made by the EU purse-seine fleet are on DFADs. Due to the importance and value of this fishery, understanding the habitat characteristics and dynamics of pelagic species aggregated under DFADs is key to improve fishery management and fishing practices. This study implements Bayesian hierarchical spatial models to investigate tuna and non-tuna species seasonal distribution based on fisheries-independent data derived from fishers’ echo-sounder buoys, environmental information (Sea Surface Temperature, Chlorophyll, Salinity, Eddie Kinetic Energy, Oxygen concentration, Sea Surface Height, Velocity and Heading) and DFAD variables (DFAD identification, days at sea). Results highlighted group-specific spatial distributions and habitat preferences, finding higher probability of tuna presence in warmer waters, with higher sea surface height and low eddy kinetic energy values. In contrast, highest probabilities of non-tuna species were found in colder and productive waters. Days at sea were relevant for both groups, with higher probabilities at objects with higher soak time. Our results also showed speciesspecific temporal distributions, suggesting that both tuna and non-tuna species may have different habitat preferences depending on the monsoon period. The new findings provided by this study will contribute to the understanding of the ecology and behavior of target and non-target species and their sustainable management

Global Asthma Network survey suggests more national asthma strategies could reduce burden of asthma

Background Several countries or regions within countries have an effective national asthma strategy resulting in a reduction of the large burden of asthma to individuals and society. There has been no systematic appraisal of the extent of national asthma strategies in the world. Methods The Global Asthma Network (GAN) undertook an email survey of 276 Principal Investigators of GAN centres in 120 countries, in 2013–2014. One of the questions was: “Has a national asthma strategy been developed in your country for the next five years? For children? For adults?”. Results Investigators in 112 (93.3%) countries answered this question. Of these, 26 (23.2%) reported having a national asthma strategy for children and 24 (21.4%) for adults; 22 (19.6%) countries had a strategy for both children and adults; 28 (25%) had a strategy for at least one age group. In countries with a high prevalence of current wheeze, strategies were significantly more common than in low prevalence countries (11/13 (85%) and 7/31 (22.6%) respectively, p < 0.001). Interpretation In 25% countries a national asthma strategy was reported. A large reduction in the global burden of asthma could be potentially achieved if more countries had an effective asthma strategy. © 2017 SEICA

Global Asthma Network survey suggests more national asthma strategies could reduce burden of asthma

Background Several countries or regions within countries have an effective national asthma strategy resulting in a reduction of the large burden of asthma to individuals and society. There has been no systematic appraisal of the extent of national asthma strategies in the world. Methods The Global Asthma Network (GAN) undertook an email survey of 276 Principal Investigators of GAN centres in 120 countries, in 2013–2014. One of the questions was: “Has a national asthma strategy been developed in your country for the next five years? For children? For adults?”. Results Investigators in 112 (93.3%) countries answered this question. Of these, 26 (23.2%) reported having a national asthma strategy for children and 24 (21.4%) for adults; 22 (19.6%) countries had a strategy for both children and adults; 28 (25%) had a strategy for at least one age group. In countries with a high prevalence of current wheeze, strategies were significantly more common than in low prevalence countries (11/13 (85%) and 7/31 (22.6%) respectively, p < 0.001). Interpretation In 25% countries a national asthma strategy was reported. A large reduction in the global burden of asthma could be potentially achieved if more countries had an effective asthma strategy. © 2017 SEICA