Extinction is imminent for Mexico’s endemic porpoise unless fishery bycatch is eliminated

Primary funding was by Secretaria del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Secretario R. Pacchiano). Mexican support was from SEMARNAT, CONABIO, CONANP, PROFEPA, SEMAR, and WWF-Mexico. US support from NOAA-Fisheries-SWFSC and The Marine Mammal Center.The number of Mexico’s endemic porpoise, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), is collapsing primarily due to bycatch in illegal gillnets set for totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), an endangered fish whose swim bladders are exported to China. Previous research estimated that vaquitas declined from about 567 to 245 individuals between 1997 and 2008. Acoustic monitoring between 2011 and 2015 showed a decline of 34%/year. Here, we combine visual line transect and passive acoustic data collected simultaneously in a robust spatial analysis to estimate that only 59 (95% Bayesian Credible Interval [CRI] 22 – 145) vaquita remained as of autumn 2015, a decrease since 1997 of 92% (95% CRI 80%-97%). Risk analysis suggests that if the current, temporary gillnet ban is maintained and effectively enforced, vaquitas could recover to 2008 population levels by 2050. Otherwise, the species is likely to be extinct within a decade.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Dynamic habitat models reflect interannual movement of cetaceans within the California current ecosystem

This modeling project was funded by the Navy, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (U.S. Navy), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC). The 2018 survey was conducted as part of the Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (PacMAPPS), a collaborative effort between NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Navy, and BOEM to collect data necessary to produce updated abundance estimates for cetaceans in the CCE study area. BOEM funding was provided via Interagency Agreement (IAA) M17PG00025, and Navy funding via IAA N0007018MP4C560, under the Mexican permit SEMARNAT/SGPA/DGVS/013212/18. The methods used to derive uncertainty estimates were developed as part of “DenMod: Working Group for the Advancement of Marine Species Density Surface Modeling” funded by OPNAV N45 and the SURTASS LFA Settlement Agreement, and managed by the U.S. Navy’s Living Marine Resources (LMR) program under Contract No. N39430-17-C-1982. Other permits included INEGI: Oficio núm. 400./331/2018, INEGI.GMA 1.03 SAGARPA de Oficio B00.02.04.1530/2018 NMFS Permit No. 19091.The distribution of wide-ranging cetacean species often cross national or jurisdictional boundaries, which creates challenges for monitoring populations and managing anthropogenic impacts, especially if data are only available for a portion of the species’ range. Many species found off the U.S. West Coast are known to have continuous distributions into Mexican waters, with highly variable abundance within the U.S. portion of their range. This has contributed to annual variability in design-based abundance estimates from systematic shipboard surveys off the U.S. West Coast, particularly for the abundance of warm temperate species such as striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, which increases off California during warm-water conditions and decreases during cool-water conditions. Species distribution models (SDMs) can accurately describe shifts in cetacean distribution caused by changing environmental conditions, and are increasingly used for marine species management. However, until recently, data from waters off the Baja California peninsula, México, have not been available for modeling species ranges that span from Baja California to the U.S. West Coast. In this study, we combined data from 1992–2018 shipboard surveys to develop SDMs off the Pacific Coast of Baja California for ten taxonomically diverse cetaceans. We used a Generalized Additive Modeling framework to develop SDMs based on line-transect surveys and dynamic habitat variables from the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). Models were developed for ten species: long- and short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis delphis and D. d. bairdii), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus), Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), striped dolphin, common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale (B. physalus), and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). The SDMs provide the first fine-scale (approximately 9 x 9 km grid) estimates of average species density and abundance, including spatially-explicit measures of uncertainty, for waters off the Baja California peninsula. Results provide novel insights into cetacean ecology in this region as well as quantitative spatial data for the assessment and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Liderazgo transformador e innovador clave para el éxito del emprendimiento sostenible

Abstract The purpose of this article is to identify transformational and innovative leadership as a key to success for sustainable entrepreneurship. In this sense, it is important to understand that enterprises are organizations or social units where there is a relationship between the different factors that make them up; additionally, they must have different types of resources that have to be managed effectively to achieve the objectives they have set. Therefore, leaders are needed whose actions and decisions have a direct influence on the performance of organizational management. Methodologically this research is oriented under the quantitative approach, with a descriptive scope, and a non-experimental, transactional, field design, the technique for data collection was the survey applying a questionnaire consisting of 54 items, with Likert style response alternatives with 5 response alternatives, it was applied to the fourteen (14) employees of a sustainable enterprise. The results showed that the activities of the employees are not controlled or supervised by the manager, so their activities lack the necessary effectiveness and efficiency, in addition there is not an adequate delegation of authority and responsibilities to the staff, causing discomfort in the staff so that their attitude becomes apathetic. In conclusion, the leaders of this enterprise do not show signs of the characteristics that a transforming and innovative leader must possess, endangering its survival.Resumen El presente artículo tiene como objetivo identificar las características del liderazgo transformador e innovador como clave del éxito para el emprendimiento sostenible, es este sentido es importante entender que los emprendimientos son organizaciones o unidades sociales donde existe una relación entre los diferentes factores que la conforman, adicionalmente ellas deben poseer distintos tipos de recursos que tienen que ser administrados de manera eficaz para lograr los objetivos que se han trazado. Por consiguiente, se necesitan líderes cuyas acciones y decisiones influyan de manera directa en el desempeño de la gestión organizacional. Metodológicamente esta investigación está orientada bajo el enfoque cuantitativo, con un alcance descriptivo, y un diseño no experimental, transaccional, de campo, la técnica para la recolección de datos fue la encuesta aplicando un cuestionario conformado por 54 ítems, con alternativas de respuesta estilo Likert con 5 alternativas de respuesta, la misma se aplicó a los catorce (14) empleados de un emprendimiento sostenible. Los resultados arrojaron que las actividades de los empleados no son controladas o supervisadas por el gerente, ante lo cual sus actividades carecen de eficacia y eficiencia necesarias, además no existe una adecuada delegación de autoridad y responsabilidades al personal, acarreando malestar en el personal ante lo cual su actitud se vuelve apática. En conclusión, los líderes de este emprendimiento no muestran señales de las características que tiene que poseer un líder transformador e innovador poniendo en peligro su supervivenci

Red-list status and extinction risk of the world’s whales, dolphins and porpoises

To understand the scope and scale of the loss of biodiversity, tools are required that can be applied in a standardized manner to all species globally, spanning realms from land to the open ocean. We used data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List to provide a synthesis of the conservation status and extinction risk of cetaceans. One in 4 cetacean species (26% of 92 species) was threatened with extinction (i.e., critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable) and 11% were near threatened. Ten percent of cetacean species were data deficient, and we predicted that 2–3 of these species may also be threatened. The proportion of threatened cetaceans has increased: 15% in 1991, 19% in 2008, and 26% in 2021. The assessed conservation status of 20% of species has worsened from 2008 to 2021, and only 3 moved into categories of lesser threat. Cetacean species with small geographic ranges were more likely to be listed as threatened than those with large ranges, and those that occur in freshwater (100% of species) and coastal (60% of species) habitats were under the greatest threat. Analysis of odontocete species distributions revealed a global hotspot of threatened small cetaceans in Southeast Asia, in an area encompassing the Coral Triangle and extending through nearshore waters of the Bay of Bengal, northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea and into the coastal waters of China. Improved management of fisheries to limit overfishing and reduce bycatch is urgently needed to avoid extinctions or further declines, especially in coastal areas of Asia, Africa, and South America.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Effects of diets with Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell. on performance and digestibility of growing rabbits

[EN] The effects on performance and digestibility in growing rabbits were studied by comparing 3 diets containing increasing inclusion rates of amaranth (Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell.): 0 (A0), 160 (A16) and 320 g/kg (A32 diet). Diets were formulated isoproteic and isocaloric to meet the nutrient requirements of growing rabbits. One hundred and thirteen weaned New Zealand White rabbits (mean±standard deviation weight: 760±102 g), individually caged, were randomly assigned to one of the 3  experimental diets. Rabbits were fed ad libitum from 35 to 87 d of age, and health status and performance traits were  onitored. The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility of the diets were measured between 42 and 46 d of age in 12 rabbits per treatment. Amaranthus dubius contained 209 g/kg dry matter (DM) of crude protein and 398 g/kg DM of neutral detergent fibre. There were no significant differences between treatments in weight gain (mean 21.6 g/d) and live weight at the end of the fattening period (mean 1883 g). Daily feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in A0 than in A16 and A32 diets (85.4 vs. 73.7 and 69.9 g/d, respectively), and feed conversion rate improved with increased inclusion of A. dubius in the diet (from 3.84 to 3.28 for A0 and A32 diets, respectively; P<0.05). Health status was not affected by the amaranth inclusion rate. Total tract apparent digestibility showed high values, with no differences among diets except for ether extract. Thus, A. dubius could be considered as an alternative source of protein and fibre for rabbit feeding in tropical and subtropical regions.The authors thank the Consejo de Desarrollo Científico y Humanístico of the Universidad del Zulia (CONDESLUZ) for funding this project, Dr. Rosa Carabaño for his advice on some aspects of the experimental design, and the company Tolsa Group (Madrid, Spain) for donating the sepiolite used in the feed formulation.Molina, E.; González-Redondo, P.; Moreno-Rojas, R.; Montero-Quintero, K.; Bracho, B.; Sánchez-Urdaneta, A. (2015). Effects of diets with Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell. on performance and digestibility of growing rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 23(1):9-18. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2015.2071SWORD918231Acevedo I., García O., Acevedo I., Perdomo C. 2007. Valor nutritivo del bledo (Amaranthus spp) identificado en el municipio Morán, Estado Lara. Agrollanía, Revista de Ciencia y Tecnología, 4: 77-93.AOAC International 2000. Official Methods of Analysis, 17th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, VA, USA.AOAC International. 2005. Official Methods of Analysis. 18th ed. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Maryland, USA.Arellano M.A., Albarracín G., Arce S., Mucciarelli S. 2004. Estudio comparativo de hojas de Beta vulgaris con Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell. Phyton-Int. J. Exp. Bot., 73: 193-197.Bautista E., Barrueta H.D.E. 2000. Bledo (Amaranthus spp.) como ingrediente en dietas para conejos en crecimiento y engorde. Rev. Cient. UNET, 12: 1-17.Cheeke P.R. 1986. Potentials of rabbit production in tropical and subtropical agricultural systems J. Anim. Sci., 63: 1581-1586

Variation in the Composition and In Vitro Proinflammatory Effect of Urban Particulate Matter from Different Sites

Spatial variation in particulate matter–related health and toxicological outcomes is partly due to its composition. We studied spatial variability in particle composition and induced cellular responses in Mexico City to complement an ongoing epidemiologic study. We measured elements, endotoxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two particle size fractions collected in five sites. We compared the in vitro proinflammatory response of J774A.1 and THP‐1 cells after exposure to particles, measuring subsequent TNFα and IL‐6 secretion. Particle composition varied by site and size. Particle constituents were subjected to principal component analysis, identifying three components: C 1 (Si, Sr, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe, Mn, endotoxin), C 2 (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and C 3 (Zn, S, Sb, Ni, Cu, Pb). Induced TNFα levels were higher and more heterogeneous than IL‐6 levels. Cytokines produced by both cell lines only correlated with C 1 , suggesting that constituents associated with soil induced the inflammatory response and explain observed spatial differences. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:87‐97, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21471Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96321/1/jbt21471.pd

Mitochondrial genomics reveals the evolutionary history of the porpoises (Phocoenidae) across the speciation continuum

Historical variation in food resources is expected to be a major driver of cetacean evolution, especially for the smallest species like porpoises. Despite major conservation issues among porpoise species (e.g., vaquita and finless), their evolutionary history remains understudied. Here, we reconstructed their evolutionary history across the speciation continuum. Phylogenetic analyses of 63 mitochondrial genomes suggest that porpoises radiated during the deep environmental changes of the Pliocene. However, all intra-specific subdivisions were shaped during the Quaternary glaciations. We observed analogous evolutionary patterns in both hemispheres associated with convergent evolution to coastal versus oceanic environments. This suggests that similar mechanisms are driving species diversification in northern (harbor and Dall's) and southern species (spectacled and Burmeister's). In contrast to previous studies, spectacled and Burmeister's porpoises shared a more recent common ancestor than with the vaquita that diverged from southern species during the Pliocene. The low genetic diversity observed in the vaquita carried signatures of a very low population size since the last 5,000 years. Cryptic lineages within Dall's, spectacled and Pacific harbor porpoises suggest a richer evolutionary history than previously suspected. These results provide a new perspective on the mechanisms driving diversification in porpoises and an evolutionary framework for their conservation

Decline towards extinction of Mexico's vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus)

Funding: Field research, equipment and analyses were funded by Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, World Wildlife Fund Mexico and Museo de la Ballena y Ciencias del Mar (Mexico).The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is a small porpoise endemic to Mexico. It is listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered because of unsustainable levels of bycatch in gillnets. The population has been monitored with passive acoustic detectors every summer from 2011 to 2018; here we report results for 2017 and 2018. We combine the acoustic trends with an independent estimate of population size from 2015, and visual observations of at least seven animals in 2017 and six in 2018. Despite adoption of an emergency gillnet ban in May 2015, the estimated rate of decline remains extremely high: 48% decline in 2017 (95% Bayesian credible interval (CRI) 78% decline to 9% increase) and 47% in 2018 (95% CRI 80% decline to 13% increase). Estimated total population decline since 2011 is 98.6%, with greater than 99% probability the decline is greater than 33% yr−1. We estimate fewer than 19 vaquitas remained as of summer 2018 (posterior mean 9, median 8, 95% CRI 6–19). From March 2016 to March 2019, 10 dead vaquitas killed in gillnets were found. The ongoing presence of illegal gillnets despite the emergency ban continues to drive the vaquita towards extinction. Immediate management action is required if the species is to be saved.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT COSTS, AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA\u27S TRADE: A GRAVITY MODEL APPROACH

This paper examines the impact of transport infrastructure, as an important determinant of transport costs, on trade between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fifteen largest trading partners. The estimation is based on a gravity model and panel data for the years 2005 to 2014. Transport costs have been estimated on the basis of distance, geography and quality of transport infrastructure, as well as on sets of "dummy" variables, such as the impact of borders, language or "dummy" variables for identifying whether a country is surrounded by land or sea. The results can be summarized as follows: (i) the quality of infrastructure and logistics is an important determinant of trade performance; (ii) the importance of distance is not diminished when the quality of infrastructure is included; (iii) Bosnia and Herzegovina trades with countries with which it shares a common language – ceteris paribus – twice as much as with others

Air pollution, inflammation and preterm birth in Mexico City: Study design and methods

Preterm birth is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality and is associated with long-term adverse health consequences for surviving infants. Preterm birth rates are rising worldwide, and no effective means for prevention currently exists. Air pollution exposure may be a significant cause of prematurity, but many published studies lack the individual, clinical data needed to elucidate possible biological mechanisms mediating these epidemiological associations. This paper presents the design of a prospective study now underway to evaluate those mechanisms in a cohort of pregnant women residing in Mexico City. We address how air quality may act together with other factors to induce systemic inflammation and influence the duration of pregnancy. Data collection includes: biomarkers relevant to inflammation in cervico-vaginal exudate and peripheral blood, along with full clinical information, pro-inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms and air pollution data to evaluate spatial and temporal variability in air pollution exposure. Samples are collected on a monthly basis and participants are followed for the duration of pregnancy. The data will be used to evaluate whether ambient air pollution is associated with preterm birth, controlling for other risk factors. We will evaluate which time windows during pregnancy are most influential in the air pollution and preterm birth association. In addition, the epidemiological study will be complemented with a parallel toxicology invitro study, in which monocytic cells will be exposed to air particle samples to evaluate the expression of biomarkers of inflammation