Accommodating unmodeled heterogeneity in double-observer distance sampling surveys

Mark-recapture models applied to double-observer distance sampling data neglect the information on relative detectability of objects contained in the distribution of observed distances. A difference between the observed distribution and that predicted by the mark-recapture model is symptomatic of a failure of the assumption of zero correlation between detection probabilities implicit in the mark-recapture model. We develop a mark-recapture-based model that uses the observed distribution to relax this assumption to zero correlation at only one distance. We demonstrate its usefulness in coping with unmodeled heterogeneity using data from an aerial survey of crabeater seals in the Antarctic.</p

Estimation of detection probability in aerial surveys of Antarctic pack-ice seals

We use line transect detection functions together with generalized linear and additive models to estimate detection probability when detection on the line ("g(0)") may not be certain. The methods provide a flexible way of modeling detection probability for independent observer surveys, and for investigating the effects of explanatory variables. Analysis of data from an aerial survey of pack-ice seals produced g (0) estimates substantially below I for some observers (it varied from 0.80 to 0.98), demonstrated a fairly complex dependence of detection probability on covariates, and showed negative correlation between observers' search width and their g(0). In addition to illustrating the utility of generalized additive models for capturing the effect of covariates on detection probability, the analysis suggests that detection functions may be sufficiently variable that use of g(0) correction factors obtained from other surveys would be inadvisable. We recommend that estimation of g(0) be considered for all aerial surveys; if g(0) is found to be very close to 1, estimation from subsequent surveys under the assumption that it is 1 may be reasonable, but without any estimation of g(0), the assumption that it is 1 is a matter of faith.</p

Freshwater environment affects growth rate and muscle fibre recruitment in seawater stages of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar

The influence of freshwater environment on muscle growth in seawater was investigated in an inbred population of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The offspring from a minimum of 64 families per group were incubated at either ambient temperature (ambient treatment) or in heated water (heated treatment). Growth was investigated using a mixed-effect statistical model with repeated measures, which included terms for treatment effect and random fish effects for individual growth rate (alpha) and the instantaneous growth rate per unit change in temperature (gamma). Prior to seawater transfer, fish were heavier in the heated (61.6+/-1.0 g; N=298) than in the ambient (34.1+/-0.4 g; N=206) treatments, reflecting their greater growth opportunity: 4872 degree-days and 4281 degree-days, respectively. However, the subsequent growth rate of the heated group was lower, such that treatments had a similar body mass (3.7-3.9 kg) after approximately 450 days in seawater. The total cross-sectional area of fast muscle and the number (FN) and size distribution of the fibres was determined in a subset of the fish. We tested the hypothesis that freshwater temperature regime affected the rate of recruitment and hypertrophy of muscle fibres. There were differences in FN between treatments and a significant age x treatment interaction but no significant cage effect (ANOVA). Cessation of fibre recruitment was identified by the absence of fibres of &lt;10 mum diameter. The maximum fibre number was 22.4% more in the ambient (9.3x10(5)+/-2.0x10(4)) than in the heated (7.6x10(5)+/-1.5x10(4)) treatments (N=44 and 40 fish, respectively; P&lt;0.001). For fish that had completed fibre recruitment, there was a significant correlation between FN and individual growth rate, explaining 35% of the total variation. The density of myogenic progenitor cells was quantified using an antibody to c-met and was approximately 2-fold higher in the ambient than in the heated group, equivalent to 2-3% of the total muscle nuclei. The number of myonuclei in isolated fibre segments showed a linear relationship with fibre diameter. On average, there were 20.6% more myonuclei in 200- mum-diameter fibres isolated from the ambient (3734 myonuclei cm(-1)) than from the heated (3097 myonuclei cm(-1)) treatments. The maximum fibre diameter was greater in heated than in ambient groups, whereas the age x treatment interaction was not significantly different (ANCOVA). There were also no consistent differences in the rate of hypertrophy of muscle fibres between treatments. It was concluded that freshwater temperature regime affected fibre number and the nuclear content of fast muscle in seawater but not the rate of fibre hypertrophy. The mechanisms and life history consequences of developmental plasticity in fibre number are discussed.</p

Changes in the fish community of Loch Leven: untangling anthropogenic pressures

Loch Leven, U.K., contains brown trout (Salmo trutta), eel (Anguilla anguilla), minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus), perch (Perca fluviatilis), pike (Esox lucius) and three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), with brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) and stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) also present in its tributaries. Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) are now extinct. The brown trout population has supported a world-renowned recreational fishery for over a century, although a decline in fishery performance led to extensive stocking between 1983 and 2006, including with non-native rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). This review combines historical information with contemporary gill-net and hydroacoustic surveys. In 2008, brown trout, perch and three-spined sticklebacks were abundant, but pike and stone loach were rare. The obstruction of migratory routes was probably responsible for the loss of Atlantic salmon and flounder, while a lowering of water level likely caused the extinction of Arctic charr and contributed to a reduction in pike abundance. Perch abundance has fluctuated markedly, being influenced by disease and eutrophication, although a reduction in nutrients and associated recovery of macrophytes are likely to have benefitted this species. Although the brown trout population has undoubtedly shown a long-term decline, individuals are currently in excellent condition