Self-ascribed paranormal ability : reflexive thematic analysis

This study investigated personal perceptions (involvements) and comprehensions (interpretations) of self-ascribed paranormal abilities. Twelve participants with supposed supernatural powers took part in semi-structured interviews exploring the origin, phenomenology, and nature of their powers. Interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA), a qualitative method that identifies patterns within data. Four major themes expressed meanings and representations held by participants: Formative Influences (sub-themes: Gifted Family Members and Anomalous Occurrence), (Inter) Subjective Paranormal Experience (sub-themes: Transcendental/Mystic and Extra-Sensory Perception), Embodied Processes (sub-theme: Control), and Perception of Reality (two sub-themes: Self-Awareness and Fantastic/Surreal Perceptions). Consideration of themes identified an inextricable link between perception, interpretation, and belief in ability. Within narratives, interviewees outlined, contextualised, and established the validity of their powers. They drew upon supporting autobiographical evidence from their life histories and obfuscated and/or discounted conventional explanations. Generally, accounts reflected individual attempts to comprehend and justify the nature and experience of professed abilities. The authors discuss these processes and suggest ways to extend and develop ensuing research

Mixed-marker approach suggests maternal philopatry and sex-biased behaviours of narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata

ABSTRACT: The narrow sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata belongs to the most endangered family of chondrichthyan fishes, the sawfishes (Pristidae). This species has undergone significant declines in geographic range and abundance due to anthropogenic activities including fishing and habitat destruction. Very little is known of adult movements within its distribution. In order to better manage and protect this endangered species, understanding patterns of habitat use, connectivity and behaviour is important. Using a combination of partial mitochondrial sequences (control region [CR] and NADH dehydrogenase 4 [ND4]) and nuclear markers (microsatellites), this study assessed the genetic population structure of A. cuspidata in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Significant population structuring using mitochondrial DNA was found between the east Australian coast, Gulf of Papua and Gulf of Carpentaria (using concatenated CR and ND4 markers) (analysis of molecular variance [AMOVA], ΦST = 0.082, p = FST = 0.012, p = 1.000). Our results suggest that a combination of historic genetic drift, maternal natal philopatry and possible male-biased dispersal likely drive the genetic patterns observed. Given the endangered status and lack of knowledge for A. cuspidata, this study presents important insights that may be used to inform management efforts

Extraction and amplification of DNA from the dried rostra of sawfishes (Pristidae) for applications in conservation genetics

DNA was obtained from the skin tissue of a high proportion (198/236) of dry rostra collected during the past -30 years from the sawfishes Pristis microdon, P. clavata, P. zijsron and Anoxypristis cuspidate.DNA obtained from the dry rostra was usually either non-degraded, or only partly degraded, and was of a quality whereby a 465-468-bp portion of the mtDNA 12S rRNA gene could be PCR-amplified. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to use the dry rostra, which are generally readily available, as a source of DNA in conservation genetic studies of sawfishes. Such studies are needed for the development of effective conservation strategies for these critically endangered species, but would otherwise be greatly constrained by the difficulties of obtaining samples from sufficient numbers of living sawfishe

Stock structure in the Indo-West Pacific Pristis sawfishes: the importance of habitat use in the evolution of sex-biased dispersal

A number of elasmobranchs across different families exhibit sex-biased dispersal. However, the selective pressures that favor the evolution of sex-biased dispersal in elasmobranchs are not well understood and sex-biased dispersal has been assessed in too few species for a clear pattern(s) to emerge. This study provides the first evidence of sex-biased dispersal in sawfishes and demonstrates how such dispersal may vary with habitat usage in Indo-West Pacific species. The Freshwater Sawfish, Pristis microdon, which utilizes freshwater rivers as juveniles and marine/estuarine waters as adults, was found to have male-biased dispersal in Australian waters. In contrast, P. clavata and P. zijsron, which spend their entire lives in marine and/or estuarine waters, are genetically structured in northern Australian waters. The use of freshwater rivers as juveniles by P. microdon suggests that the evolutionary history of this species in Australian waters was potentially very different to those for P. clavata and P. zijsron and may have influenced the evolution of sex-biased dispersal in the former, but not the latter, species