Adult survival and reproduction in an Argentine bottlenose dolphin population: The science needed for its conservation

Several small populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are known to inhabit the Atlantic coast of Argentina, however, apparently with little exchange between them. The study population in Bahia San Antonio (San Matías Gulf, province of Río Negro) appears to be one of the southernmost populations (42°S/65°W). Adult survival and calving rates are critical for the survival of this population. Boat-based photo-identification surveys between 2008 and 2011 were used for a mark-recapture analysis of the survival of 35 distinctly marked adults. Survey trips in September 2008 (n=9), August 2009 (n=10), September 2010 (n=6) and in September 2011 (n=6) were used as secondary periods for a Pollock’s Robust Design analysis within MARK. The population was assumed to be closed within the secondary periods, and model selection indicated random migrations (rather than Markovian or No migration) outside the secondary periods. Adult survival was very high. Calving interval was calculated for 14 reproductive females with 28 calves since 2006 with the average being 3.5 ± 1.03 years. Assuming a population size of approximately 100 individuals, the minimum annual birth rate is 4.7% per year. Of the 28 calves, 3 are presumed to have died within the first 2-3 years of life, whereas 14 are known to have survived that period. Although bottlenose dolphins occur further south along the Argentine coast, the study population appears to be the most southerly stable population after the neighboring Valdez population was recently reported to be vanishing. Interactions with fishing and contamination appear to be the most likely impacts on adult survival and reproduction. So far, our results indicate a relatively small population with apparently healthy birth and survival rates

Behavioural response of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) to anthropogenic approaches in Bahía San Antonio, Río Negro Argentina

The behavioural response of southern right whales (SRWs) to human approaches was studied in Bahia San Antonio, Río Negro Argentina, to obtain essential information for the evaluation of a recent authorized whale-based tourism and the implementation of accurate regulations and conservation measurements. A total of 50 SRW groups were approached with a small zodiac during the whale-seasons (June-October) of 2008 and 2009, accounting for a total of 39h of behavioural observations. The approaches occurred in a slow and controlled way up to a minimum distance of 100m. A focal animal observation (instantaneous point sample) was used to record three mutual exclusive behavioural states: rest, travel and socializing and/or aerial activity. Groups (chosen ad random) consisted out of solitary animals (0.52), Surface Active Groups (SAG; 0.32) and non-SAGs (0.13). Nevertheless, because of the low amount of data, up to now all behavioural responses were analysed regardless group composition. Results indicated that whales continued travelling during an approach, but doubled their time resting after an approach had finished (22% → 40%) and decreased drastically their time socializing or aerially active (21% → 2%). Although the probability that a whale remained in a social/aerially active behaviour when affected by anthropogenic approaches decreased notably (-22%), no significant effect could be found up to now (Z-test for 2 proportions, p>0.05), probably due to the relative small dataset. Nevertheless, the apparent change in SRW social behaviour requires urgently more detailed information to implement conservation strategies regulating adequately the commercial whale-based tourism in the area

Variation in external morphology of resident bottlenose dolphins in Bahía San Antonio, Patagonia, Argentina

peer reviewedA photo-identification study carried out in Bahía San Antonio (Patagonia Argentina) showed a variation in external morphology among year-round resident bottlenose dolphins. Out of 63 individually identified bottlenose dolphins, 15 were considered year-round residents of which three show variations in external morphology: they have a more falcate dorsal fin, darker coloration and shorter beak, physical characteristics described for the regional form of bottlenose dolphins present in the more southern province Chubut. The three morphologic distinct individuals, with one associated calf, could be re-identified in the study area up to 10 times over all the different seasons and up to now, no other bottlenose dolphins with similar characteristics could be observed in the area. On all occasions, they were re-identified in close occasions with each other and on 8 occasions in close association with other identified individuals. So far it was believed that the two regional forms of bottlenose dolphins present in Argentina were isolated. This communication is meant to document the residency and interaction of both regional forms in the same area

Association patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio, Argentina

This study aims to investigate the association patterns of a small and resident population of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio (Argentina), and assess any seasonal variation in view of the reported seasonal variation in the population's grouping behavior. The estimation of social differentiation (S) was 0.29 (SE = 0.08), suggesting a homogenous society. The half‐weight index (HWI) averaged 0.23 (± 0.06), with evidence of long‐term preferred associations. However, data showed seasonal variation in the association patterns. In winter, when large groups were reported in this population, HWI values averaged 0.30 (± 0.09) with no indication of preferred or avoided associations. However, during summer, when group size was generally small, HWI values averaged 0.14 (± 0.07), with an indication of preferred/avoided associations. This study indicates that the social structure of the bottlenose dolphins in Bahía San Antonio seems relatively homogenous and flexible over time, with the formation of a random social network at times when large aggregations are formed, and a more disconnected network made up of strongly connected components when the cost of grouping is high.Cetacean Society International, Trigon N.V., and the Mary-bio Foundation.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1748-76922019-07-01hj2018Mammal Research Institut

Assessment of the antifungal preservation potential of natural water or oil soluble compounds in both in-vitro and bread baking trials

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Optimization of quantitative polymerase chain reactions for detection and quantification of eight periodontal bacterial pathogens

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to optimize quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for 8 major periodontal pathogens, i.e. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micros, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tanerella forsythia and Treponema denticola, and of the caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans. RESULTS: Eighteen different primer pairs were analyzed in silico regarding specificity (using BLAST analysis) and the presence of secondary structures at primer binding sites (using mFOLD). The most specific and efficiently binding primer pairs, according to these analyses, were selected for qPCR-analysis to determine amplification efficiency, limit of quantification and intra-run reproducibility. For the selected primer pairs, one for each species, the specificity was confirmed by assessing amplification of DNA extracts from isolates of closely related species. For these primer pairs, the intercycler portability was evaluated on 3 different thermal cyclers (the Applied Biosystems 7300, the Bio-Rad iQ5 and the Roche Light Cycler 480). For all assays on the different cyclers, a good correlation of the standard series was obtained (i.e. r2 >= 0.98), but quantification limits varied among cyclers. The overall best quantification limit was obtained by using a 2 mul sample in a final volume of 10 mul on the Light Cycler 480. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the proposed assays allow to quantify the bacterial loads of S. mutans, 6 periodontal pathogenic species and the genus Fusobacterium.This can be of use in assessing periodontal risk, determination of the optimal periodontal therapy and evaluation of this treatment

Updated application of a photo-identification based assessment model to southern right whales in South African waters, focussing on inferences to be drawn from a series of appreciably lower counts of calving females over 2015 to 2017

This paper extends the analyses of Brandão et al. (2013) which applied the three-mature-stages (receptive, calving and resting) model of Cooke et al. (2003) to photo-identification data available from 1979 to 2012 for southern right whales in South African waters, by taking five further years of data into account. The lower counts of calving females over 2015 to 2017 are indicated to be a reflection of time variability in the probability that a resting whale rests another year, rather than of any mass mortality. The 2017 number of parous females is estimated to be 1 765, the total population (including males and calves) 6 116, and the annual population growth rate 6.5%. This reflects a small decrease to the 6.6% increase rate estimated previously; even in the instance of lesser numbers seen in recent years than estimated previously. Information from resightings of grey blazed calves as adults with calves allows estimation of first year survival rate of 0.852, a slight increase from the previous estimate of 0.850, compared to a subsequent annual rate of 0.988

Learning in Collaborative Moments

In this article, we describe experiences with dialogue evenings within a research collaboration on long-term care and dementia in the Netherlands. What started as a conventional process of ‘reporting back’ to interlocutors transformed over the course of two years into learning and knowing together. We argue that learning took place in three different articulations. First, participants learnt to expand their notion of knowledge. Second, they learnt to relate differently to each other and, therewith, to dementia. And third, participants learnt how to generate knowledge with each other. We further argue that these processes did not happen continuously, but in moments. We suggest that a framework of collaborative moments can be helpful for research projects that are not set up collaboratively from the start. Furthermore, we point to the work required to facilitate these moments.</jats:p

Quantification of in vivo colonic short chain fatty acid production from inulin

Short chain fatty acids ( SCFA), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are produced during bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates in the human colon. In this study, we applied a stable-isotope dilution method to quantify the in vivo colonic production of SCFA in healthy humans after consumption of inulin. Twelve healthy subjects performed a test day during which a primed continuous intravenous infusion with [ 1- C-13] acetate, [ 1- C-13] propionate and [ 1- C-13] butyrate ( 12, 1.2 and 0.6 mu mol center dot kg - 1 center dot min - 1, respectively) was applied. They consumed 15 g of inulin with a standard breakfast. Breath and blood samples were collected at regular times during the day over a 12 h period. The endogenous rate of appearance of acetate, propionate, and butyrate was 13.3 +/- 4.8, 0.27 +/- 0.09, and 0.28 +/- 0.12 mu mol center dot kg - 1 center dot min (-1), respectively. Colonic inulin fermentation was estimated to be 137 +/- 75 mmol acetate, 11 +/- 9 mmol propionate, and 20 +/- 17 mmol butyrate over 12 h, assuming that 40%, 10%, and 5% of colonic derived acetate, propionate, and butyrate enter the systemic circulation. In conclusion, inulin is mainly fermented into acetate and, to lesser extents, into butyrate and propionate. Stable isotope technology allows quantifying the production of the three main SCFA in vivo and proved to be a practical tool to investigate the extent and pattern of SCFA production