Magnificent dimensions, varied forms, and brilliant colors: The molecular ecology and evolution of the Indian and Pacific oceans

The tropical Indian and Pacific oceans form the world's largest and most speciose marine biogeographic region: the Indo-Pacific. Due to its size and political complexity, the Indo-Pacific is rarely studied as a whole, yet comprehensive studies of the region promise to teach us much about marine ecology and evolution. Molecular methods can provide substantial initial insights into the processes that create and maintain biodiversity in the region while also providing critical spatial information to managers. This special issue presents six synthetic papers that discuss the current state of molecular work in the Indo-Pacific region as well as best practices for the future. Following these synthetic papers are 15 empirical papers that extend our knowledge of the region considerably. A comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity that we stand to lose in the Indo-Pacific is going to require increased cooperation and collaboration among laboratories that study this region, as exemplified by papers in this special issue

Evaluating edge-of-range genetic patterns for tropical echinoderms, Acanthaster planci and Tripneustes gratilla, of the Kermadec Islands, southwest Pacific

Edge-of-range populations are often typified by patterns of low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation relative to populations within the core of a species range. The "core-periphery hypothesis," also known as the "central-marginal hypothesis," predicts that these genetic patterns at the edge-of-range are a consequence of reduced population size and connectivity toward a species range periphery. It is unclear, however, how these expectations relate to high dispersal marine species that can conceivably maintain high abundance and high connectivity at their range edge. In the present study, we characterize the genetic patterns of two tropical echinoderm populations in the Kermadec Islands, the edge of their southwest Pacific range, and compare these genetic patterns to those from populations throughout their east Indian and Pacific ranges. We find that the populations of both Acanthaster planci (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus, 1758) are represented by a single haplotype at the Kermadec Islands (based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase C subunit I). Such low genetic diversity concurs with the expectations of the "core-periphery hypothesis." Furthermore, the haplotypic composition of both populations suggests they have been founded by a small number of colonists with little subsequent immigration. Thus, local reproduction and self-recruitment appear to maintain these populations despite the ecologically marginal conditions of the Kermadec Islands for these tropical species. Understanding rates of self-recruitment vs reliance on connectivity with populations outside of the Kermadec Islands has implications for the persistence of these populations and range stability of these echinoderm species

Can sea snakes slither through seascape structure? Comparative phylogeography and population genetics of Hydrophis group sea snakes in Australia and Southeast Asia

Pleistocene sea level changes substantially shaped the biogeography of northern Australia and the Indo-Malayan Archipelago (IMA). For co-distributed species, their phylogeographic and population genetic patterns are expected to be concomitant with geological transformations of the Pleistocene. However, species-specific ecologies and life history traits may also be influential in generating patterns which depart from simple expectations arising from biogeographic features. Thus, comparative population genetic studies, which use taxa that reduces variation in taxonomy and geography, may refine our understanding of how biogeographic elements shape the populations of co-occurring species. Here, we sampled two sea snake species, Hydrophis curtus and H. elegans, throughout their known ranges in the IMA and northern Australia. These sea snakes have similar life history strategies and ecologies as well as overlapping distributions across the Torres Strait, a well-known biogeographic feature. We analysed two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments and 10 microsatellite loci using traditional population genetic approaches and used Bayesian clustering methods to examine species- specific phylogenetic relationships, genetic diversities, and population genetic structures. For both species, we found a consistent lack of significant genetic variation among sampling sites across the Gulf of Carpentaria (GOC) and the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Similarly, Bayesian clustering showed no to weak genetic partitioning across the historical Torres Strait land bridge. Both species sampled in Australia displayed population expansion signatures in tests using mtDNA and microsatellite markers. We conclude that the phylogeographic and population genetic patterns of these sea snake species do not align with the Torres Strait land bridge. This lack of population genetic structure departs from previous findings on Aipysurus sea snakes and may be linked to the association of Hydrophis species to soft sediment habitats typically found across northern Australia. These divergent patterns between the sea snake groups present the importance of considering taxon-specific attributes in formulating conservation strategies

Financial innovation and growth listings and IPOs from 1880 to World War II in the Athens Stock Exchange

The study explores the growth of the Athens Stock Exchange through new listings and IPOs over the period 1880-1940. We examine institutional changes in exchange governance and listing requirements. On a theme that has not been addressed before, we find that simple listings were far more numerous than actual IPOs, while even during ‘hot’ listing periods IPO activity was relatively limited. IPOs in Greece remained unregulated throughout the period and there is only sparse evidence on the involvement of professional investment banking services. IPOs over-pricing in the early decades gives way to under-pricing in the 1920s. The growth of the Greek stock market was coincident with development episodes in the economy, as well as phases of protectionism. It has been driven by a demand for listings basically serving the liquidity needs of company owners. Finally, the study presents data on "quasi-IPOs" (i.e. capital increases shortly after listing)and shows that they offer a more accurate assessment of the demand for the financing of listing firms

Conjoncture et industrialisation en Grèce (1900-1940)

Le processus de l'industrialisation en Grèce pendant les années 1900-1940, pourrait être divisée en quatre sous-périodes. Durant la première (1900-1912) la politique de restriction budgétaire et monétaire, imposée par le Contrôle économique international, mena l'industrie grecque à la stagnation. La période des guerres (1912-1922) et sa conjoncture — forte demande de biens de consommation pour l'armée et taux d'inflation élevé —, a fixé les limites du développement industriel. Ainsi, dans les unités industrielles établies, la productivité du travail est restée faible, les coûts de production élevés. À leurs côtés s'est développée une multitude de petits ateliers à caractère personnel ou familial, aux moyens techniques infimes et aux frais de fonctionnement flexibles. La troisième phase (1923-1927) a connu une expansion économique étroitement liée aux conséquences de l'intégration des réfugiés d'Asie Mineure dans la vie économique du pays, dans le cadre favorable d'une inflation galopante, de la dévaluation de la monnaie et de mesures protectionnistes. L'insertion des réfugiés dans le milieu professionnel urbain a contribué à la reproduction des schémas productifs et de la structure de travail de la période précédente. Les années 1927-1933 ont été marquées par un effort d'assainissement de l'économie fondé sur la stabilisation de la monnaie nationale et le contrôle de la circulation monétaire. Cette politique, visant à freiner l'inflation, c'est-à-dire le " facteur " principal du développement industriel, a conduit le pays à la récession économique.The industrialization process in Greece over the period 1900-1940 could be divided in four sub-periods. The dominant feature of the first one (1900-12) was the restrictive financial policy imposed by the International Economic Control, a policy that led the Greek industry to stagnation. The second period (1912-22) was marked by a series of wars (Balkan wars of 1912-13, World War I, Near East Campaign), which provoked an intense demand for consumption goods due to the needs of the army. This demand, combined with a high inflation rate, determined the industrial development in this period. Thus, the established industrial units worked with low productivity levels and coexisted with a multitude of small artisan individual or family workshops, with minimal technical means and high elasticity in operational costs. The third period (1923-27) was one of economic expansion, closely related with the economic integration of the refugees from Asia Minor. This integration was realized in a context of high inflation, devaluation of the drachma and a protectionist policy. Thus, the professional integration of the refugees in Greek towns contributed to the reproduction of the productive schemes and the employment structure existing before the Asia Minor disaster. Finally, the fourth period (1927-33) was characterized by efforts to stabilize the Greek economy by stabilizing the national currency and restricting the circulation of cash. This policy, aimed at slowing down inflation, led Greece to economic recession

Conjoncture et industrialisation en Grèce (1900-1940)

Le processus de l'industrialisation en Grèce pendant les années 1900-1940, pourrait être divisée en quatre sous-périodes. Durant la première (1900-1912) la politique de restriction budgétaire et monétaire, imposée par le Contrôle économique international, mena l'industrie grecque à la stagnation. La période des guerres (1912-1922) et sa conjoncture — forte demande de biens de consommation pour l'armée et taux d'inflation élevé —, a fixé les limites du développement industriel. Ainsi, dans les unités industrielles établies, la productivité du travail est restée faible, les coûts de production élevés. À leurs côtés s'est développée une multitude de petits ateliers à caractère personnel ou familial, aux moyens techniques infimes et aux frais de fonctionnement flexibles. La troisième phase (1923-1927) a connu une expansion économique étroitement liée aux conséquences de l'intégration des réfugiés d'Asie Mineure dans la vie économique du pays, dans le cadre favorable d'une inflation galopante, de la dévaluation de la monnaie et de mesures protectionnistes. L'insertion des réfugiés dans le milieu professionnel urbain a contribué à la reproduction des schémas productifs et de la structure de travail de la période précédente. Les années 1927-1933 ont été marquées par un effort d'assainissement de l'économie fondé sur la stabilisation de la monnaie nationale et le contrôle de la circulation monétaire. Cette politique, visant à freiner l'inflation, c'est-à-dire le " facteur " principal du développement industriel, a conduit le pays à la récession économique.The industrialization process in Greece over the period 1900-1940 could be divided in four sub-periods. The dominant feature of the first one (1900-12) was the restrictive financial policy imposed by the International Economic Control, a policy that led the Greek industry to stagnation. The second period (1912-22) was marked by a series of wars (Balkan wars of 1912-13, World War I, Near East Campaign), which provoked an intense demand for consumption goods due to the needs of the army. This demand, combined with a high inflation rate, determined the industrial development in this period. Thus, the established industrial units worked with low productivity levels and coexisted with a multitude of small artisan individual or family workshops, with minimal technical means and high elasticity in operational costs. The third period (1923-27) was one of economic expansion, closely related with the economic integration of the refugees from Asia Minor. This integration was realized in a context of high inflation, devaluation of the drachma and a protectionist policy. Thus, the professional integration of the refugees in Greek towns contributed to the reproduction of the productive schemes and the employment structure existing before the Asia Minor disaster. Finally, the fourth period (1927-33) was characterized by efforts to stabilize the Greek economy by stabilizing the national currency and restricting the circulation of cash. This policy, aimed at slowing down inflation, led Greece to economic recession

L'établissement professionnel des réfugiés d'Asie mineure dans le milieu urbain grec, 1922-1930

Le secteur industriel grec avant 1922 s'était caractérisé par des usines à faible productivité de travail. Ces entreprises coexistaient avec un grand nombre de petits ateliers à caractère personnel ou familial, aux moyens techniques minimes et aux dépenses de fonctionnement flexibles. La catastrophe d'Asie mineure et une conjoncture politique particulière ne pouvaient pas entraîner de grands bouleversements dans les structures de la production, du moment où il n'y avait ni les mécanismes socio-économiques ni la volonté politique qui auraient transformé les réfugiés en véritables travailleurs industriels. Par conséquent, les réfugiés installés dans les villes ont recherché et ont en partie gagné leur indépendance professionnelle, soutenus par le travail occasionnel et dépendant des autres membres de la famille. Ainsi, les efforts d'insertion professionnelle déployés par ce groupe de réfugiés ont contribué à la reproduction élargie des schémas de production et de la structure du travail de la période précédant la catastrophe d'Asie mineure.The secondary sector in Greece before 1922 was characterized by industrial units, functioning in low productivity levels. These factories coexisted with a multitude of small artisan shops of personal or family character, disposing minimum technical means and high elasticity in operational costs. The Asia-Minor catastrophe, a political conjuncture, was not sufficient to transform the existing production structures, considering the absence of those economic and social mechanisms and of the political will, capable of converting the refugees in industrial workers. Consequently, those refugees that settled in urban areas sought after, and in mostly achieved, to create their own small business, with a precarious income, complemented by temporary employment of other members of the refugee's families as factory workers. Thus the professional integration of the refugees in Greek towns contributed in the reproduction of the productive forms and the employment structure existing before the Asia-Minor catastrophe

Dispersal capacity predicts both population genetic structure and species richness in reef fishes

Dispersal is a fundamental species characteristic that should directly affect both rates of gene flow among spatially distributed populations and opportunities for speciation. Yet no single trait associated with dispersal has been demonstrated to affect both micro- and macroevolutionary patterns of diversity across a diverse biological assemblage. Here, we examine patterns of genetic differentiation and species richness in reef fishes, an assemblage of over 7,000 species comprising approximately one-third of the extant bony fishes and over one-tenth of living vertebrates. In reef fishes, dispersal occurs primarily during a planktonic larval stage. There are two major reproductive and parental investment syndromes among reef fishes, and the differences between them have implications for dispersal: (1) benthic guarding fishes lay negatively buoyant eggs, typically guarded by the male parent, and from these eggs hatch large, strongly swimming larvae; in contrast, (2) pelagic spawning fishes release small floating eggs directly into the water column, which drift unprotected before small weakly swimming larvae hatch. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we show that benthic guarders have significantly greater population structure than pelagic spawners and additionally that taxonomic families of benthic guarders are more species rich than families of pelagic spawners. Our findings provide a compelling case for the continuity between micro- and macroevolutionary processes of biological diversification and underscore the importance of dispersalrelated traits in influencing the mode and tempo of evolution

L'établissement professionnel des réfugiés d'Asie mineure dans le milieu urbain grec, 1922-1930

Le secteur industriel grec avant 1922 s'était caractérisé par des usines à faible productivité de travail. Ces entreprises coexistaient avec un grand nombre de petits ateliers à caractère personnel ou familial, aux moyens techniques minimes et aux dépenses de fonctionnement flexibles. La catastrophe d'Asie mineure et une conjoncture politique particulière ne pouvaient pas entraîner de grands bouleversements dans les structures de la production, du moment où il n'y avait ni les mécanismes socio-économiques ni la volonté politique qui auraient transformé les réfugiés en véritables travailleurs industriels. Par conséquent, les réfugiés installés dans les villes ont recherché et ont en partie gagné leur indépendance professionnelle, soutenus par le travail occasionnel et dépendant des autres membres de la famille. Ainsi, les efforts d'insertion professionnelle déployés par ce groupe de réfugiés ont contribué à la reproduction élargie des schémas de production et de la structure du travail de la période précédant la catastrophe d'Asie mineure.The secondary sector in Greece before 1922 was characterized by industrial units, functioning in low productivity levels. These factories coexisted with a multitude of small artisan shops of personal or family character, disposing minimum technical means and high elasticity in operational costs. The Asia-Minor catastrophe, a political conjuncture, was not sufficient to transform the existing production structures, considering the absence of those economic and social mechanisms and of the political will, capable of converting the refugees in industrial workers. Consequently, those refugees that settled in urban areas sought after, and in mostly achieved, to create their own small business, with a precarious income, complemented by temporary employment of other members of the refugee's families as factory workers. Thus the professional integration of the refugees in Greek towns contributed in the reproduction of the productive forms and the employment structure existing before the Asia-Minor catastrophe

Herbivory and Drought Generate Short‐Term Stochasticity and Long‐Term Stability in A Savanna Understory Community

Rainfall and herbivory are fundamental drivers of grassland plant dynamics, yet few studies have examined long‐term interactions between these factors in an experimental setting. Understanding such interactions is important, as rainfall is becoming increasingly erratic and native wild herbivores are being replaced by livestock. Livestock grazing and episodic low rainfall are thought to interact, leading to greater community change than either factor alone. We examined patterns of change and stability in herbaceous community composition through four dry periods, or droughts, over 15 years of the Kenya Long‐term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE), which consists of six different combinations of cattle, native wild herbivores (e.g., zebras, gazelles), and mega‐herbivores (giraffes, elephants). We used principal response curves to analyze the trajectory of change in each herbivore treatment relative to a common initial community and asked how droughts contributed to community change in these treatments. We examined three measures of stability (resistance, variability, and turnover) that correspond to different temporal scales and found that each had a different response to grazing. Treatments that included both cattle and wild herbivores had higher resistance (less net change over 15 years) but were more variable on shorter time scales; in contrast, the more lightly grazed treatments (no herbivores or wild herbivores only) showed lower resistance due to the accumulation of consistent, linear, short‐term change. Community change was greatest during and immediately after droughts in all herbivore treatments. But, while drought contributed to directional change in the less grazed treatments, it contributed to both higher variability and resistance in the more heavily grazed treatments. Much of the community change in lightly grazed treatments (especially after droughts) was due to substantial increases in cover of the palatable grass Brachiaria lachnantha. These results illustrate how herbivory and drought can act together to cause change in grassland communities at the moderate to low end of a grazing intensity continuum. Livestock grazing at a moderate intensity in a system with a long evolutionary history of grazing contributed to long‐term stability. This runs counter to often‐held assumptions that livestock grazing leads to directional, destabilizing shifts in grassland systems