The lice (Insecta : phthiraptera) of short-tailed shearwaters, ardenna tenuirostris, in Bass Strait, Tasmania

There is a paucity of research into the louse fauna of Shorttailed Shearwaters, Ardenna tenuirostris (Temminck, 1835), despite this species being one of the world's most studied seabirds (Bradley et al. 1991 and references therein). Research has been undertaken on these shearwaters at their breeding grounds in Bass Strait, Tasmania, since 1947 (Bradley et al. 1991). As Short-tailed Shearwaters are long-lived, with an estimated average longevity of 38 years (Skira et al. 1985), they may offer a long-term host potential to host-dependent ectoparasites (i.e., lice) (Crompton 1997). Also, with approximately 23 million shearwaters breeding in burrows in dense rookeries on the islands and headlands of southern Australia, from southern New South Wales to Tasmania and from Victoria to Western Australia (Marchant & Higgins 1990), there may be the potential for increased transmission of ectoparasites between individual birds. Increased infestation rates by lice have been shown in colonial living birds. For instance, Rozsa et al. (1996) found an increase in louse infestation on Colonial Rooks, Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758, as compared to the territorial Hooded Crow, Corvus corone cornix Linnaeus, 1758. Short-tailed Shearwaters undertake an annual transequatorial migration to the Bering Sea for the austral winter (Serventy 1967), and so may act as vectors for the transmission of parasites across hemispheres (Lopez et al. 2005, Price et al. 2003). There are three publications that list the lice of Shorttailed Shearwaters. Green & Munday (1971) were the first to document the ectoparasites of Tasmanian fauna, albeit from personal communications- no published literature was cited. Twenty years later, Green & Palma (1991) listed the lice of Tasmania's vertebrates. They essentially used Green & Munday's (1971) list of lice on shearwaters and added Austromenopon paululum, listed as Austromenopon sp. in Green & Munday (1971). Price et al. (2003), in their checklist of the chewing lice (Phthiraptera) of the world, also listed the lice of Short -tailed Shearwaters. Included in this list were two louse species, Naubates harrisoni (Bedford, 1930) and Ancistrona vagelli (Fabricus, 1787), not mentioned in Green & Munday (1971). As part of the long-term research into Bass Strait's Short-tailed Shearwaters, this study aimed to confirm their current louse fauna, detailing the specific location, and collection method, to fill a gap in the primary literature

Effect of body condition on reproductive performance and secondary sex ratios in ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis)

Nesting Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) were studied on Granite Island, northern Lake Superior, during the breeding seasons of 1983 and 1984 to determine if there was a relationship between food supply and the time of breeding, body condition, and egg characteristics affecting reproductive success. Eggs laid in 1984 were heavier than those laid in 1983. This may have been related to smaller pre-breeding food abundance in 1983. In each year. Ring-billed Gulls nesting later in the season laid fewer and smaller eggs that had poorer hatching success. Within clutches, third laid eggs were smaller, lighter and produced fewer young than first or second eggs. Chemical analyses of eggs revealed that eggs laid in 1984 contained more albumen, and proportionately more yolk lipid, than eggs laid in 1983, Eggs laid later in each year contained less albumen and fewer nutrients (lipid and protein) than earlier laid eggs. Within early and late clutches, c-eggs had decreased levels of albumen and nutrients. For all eggs analyzed, an average of 35% of fresh egg weight was yolk, with a fresh yolk to albumen ratio of 0.63. Water accounted for 69% of fresh egg weight. Through the laying sequence, approximately 8% of fresh egg weight was yolk lipid. The energy and nutrient content of eggs remained proportionately constant through the laying sequence each year. Egg weight was strongly correlated with egg volume and water content. Chick weight at hatching was positively correlated with fresh egg weight, though this correlation was weak. There was no difference in hatch weights within clutches. Male and female eggs did not differ in size or weight. There was no relationship between chick sex and egg sequence in either year. The secondary sex ratio was skewed in favour of female chicks in 1983. The overall secondary sex ratio did not differ from unity, and the ratio of unisexual and bisexual 3-egg clutches laid early in 1984 did not differ from 1:2:1. In each year, females nesting later in the season had a lower body weight and condition index than earlier nesting females. The indexed body condition of females nesting early in 1983 was smaller than in 1984. Both male and female indexed condition decreased through the breeding season in 1984. The body weight of females was correlated with egg weight but not nutrient content. Egg size and composition were not satisfactory predictors of female body weight and condition. Chemical analyses of post-laying females revealed that late nesters contained proportionately more body water and protein, but less lipid than early nesters. Between years, there were no differences in the body weight or nutrient content of post-laying females. The energy content of the body was most strongly correlated with lipid levels in the body. Both the body weight and indexed condition of early nesting females were correlated with body lipid and energy levels. Females with larger stored nutrient levels (i.e. those nesting earlier each year) laid heavier eggs which contained more nutrients. Pre-breeding adult males and females tended to weigh more and contain more energy per unit body weight than early nesters. I suggest that reduced body condition, and hence egg quality, for those birds nesting in 1983 and late nesters, were primarily related to differences in food abundance and acquisition efficiency during the pre-breeding period

Movement of short-tailed shearwaters with environmental gradient in the sub-Arctic Pacific and Arctic seas through summer to autumn

第4回極域科学シンポジウム横断セッション：[IA] 「急変する北極気候システム及びその全球的な影響の総合的解明」―GRENE北極気候変動研究事業研究成果報告2013―11月12日（火） 国立極地研究所 ２階大会議

Spatial utilization of short-tailed shearwaters migrating between Antarctic and Arctic waters

第2回極域科学シンポジウム/第33回極域生物シンポジウム 11月17日（木） 統計数理研究所 3階セミナー室

What are we measuring? A critique of range of motion methods currently in use for Dupuytren's disease and recommendations for practice

Background: Range of motion is the most frequently reported measure used in practice to evaluate outcomes. A goniometer is the most reliable tool to assess range of motion yet, the lack of consistency in reporting prevents comparison between studies. The aim of this study is to identify how range of motion is currently assessed and reported in Dupuytren’s disease literature. Following analysis recommendations for practice will be made to enable consistency in future studies for comparability. This paper highlights the variation in range of motion reporting in Dupuytren’s disease. Methods: A Participants, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study design format was used for the search strategy and search terms. Surgery, needle fasciotomy or collagenase injection for primary or recurrent Dupuytren’s disease in adults were included if outcomes were monitored using range of motion to record change. A literature search was performed in May 2013 using subject heading and free-text terms to also capture electronic publications ahead of print. In total 638 publications were identified and following screening 90 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data was extracted and entered onto a spreadsheet for analysis. A thematic analysis was carried out to establish any duplication, resulting in the final range of motion measures identified. Results: Range of motion measurement lacked clarity, with goniometry reportedly used in only 43 of the 90 studies, 16 stated the use of a range of motion protocol. A total of 24 different descriptors were identified describing range of motion in the 90 studies. While some studies reported active range of motion, others reported passive or were unclear. Eight of the 24 categories were identified through thematic analysis as possibly describing the same measure, ‘lack of joint extension’ and accounted for the most frequently used. Conclusions: Published studies lacked clarity in reporting range of motion, preventing data comparison and meta-analysis. Percentage change lacks context and without access to raw data, does not allow direct comparison of baseline characteristics. A clear description of what is being measured within each study was required. It is recommended that range of motion measuring and reporting for Dupuytren’s disease requires consistency to address issues that fall into 3 main categories:- Definition of terms Protocol statement Outcome reportin

Optimal functional outcome measures for assessing treatment for Dupuytren's disease: A systematic review and recommendations for future practice

This article is available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund. Copyright © 2013 Ball et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Background: Dupuytren's disease of the hand is a common condition affecting the palmar fascia, resulting in progressive flexion deformities of the digits and hence limitation of hand function. The optimal treatment remains unclear as outcomes studies have used a variety of measures for assessment. Methods: A literature search was performed for all publications describing surgical treatment, percutaneous needle aponeurotomy or collagenase injection for primary or recurrent Dupuytren’s disease where outcomes had been monitored using functional measures. Results: Ninety-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-two studies reported outcomes using patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) ranging from validated questionnaires to self-reported measures for return to work and self-rated disability. The Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was the most utilised patient-reported function measure (n=11). Patient satisfaction was reported by eighteen studies but no single method was used consistently. Range of movement was the most frequent physical measure and was reported in all 91 studies. However, the methods of measurement and reporting varied, with seventeen different techniques being used. Other physical measures included grip and pinch strength and sensibility, again with variations in measurement protocols. The mean follow-up time ranged from 2 weeks to 17 years. Conclusions: There is little consistency in the reporting of outcomes for interventions in patients with Dupuytren’s disease, making it impossible to compare the efficacy of different treatment modalities. Although there are limitations to the existing generic patient reported outcomes measures, a combination of these together with a disease-specific questionnaire, and physical measures of active and passive individual joint Range of movement (ROM), grip and sensibility using standardised protocols should be used for future outcomes studies. As Dupuytren’s disease tends to recur following treatment as well as extend to involve other areas of the hand, follow-up times should be standardised and designed to capture both short and long term outcomes

Mercury concentrations in primary feathers reflect pollutant exposure in discrete non-breeding grounds used by Short-tailed Shearwaters

We measured mercury concentrations ([Hg]) and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N) in the primary feathers of Short-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris) that were tracked year-round. The [Hg] were highest in 14 birds that used the Okhotsk and northern Japan Seas during the non-breeding period (2.5 ± 1.4 μg/g), lowest in nine birds that used the eastern Bering Sea (0.8 ± 0.2 μg/g), and intermediate in five birds that used both regions (1.0 ± 0.5 μg/g), with no effects of δ15N. The results illustrate that samples from seabirds can provide a useful means of monitoring pollution at a large spatial scale

Annual and seasonal movements of migrating short-tailed shearwaters reflect environmental variation in sub-Arctic and Arctic waters

The marine ecosystems of the Bering Sea and adjacent southern Chukchi Sea are experiencing rapid changes due to recent reductions in sea ice. Short-tailed shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris visit this region in huge numbers between the boreal summer and autumn during non-breeding season, and represent one of the dominant top predators. To understand the implications for this species of ongoing environmental change in the Pacific sub-Arctic and Arctic seas, we tracked the migratory movements of 19 and 24 birds in 2010 and 2011, respectively, using light-level geolocators. In both years, tracked birds occupied the western (Okhotsk Sea and Kuril Islands) and eastern (southeast Bering Sea) North Pacific from May to July. In August–September of 2010, but not 2011, a substantial proportion (68 % of the tracked individuals in 2010 compared to 38 % in 2011) moved through the Bering Strait to feed in the Chukchi Sea. Based on the correlation with oceanographic variables, the probability of shearwater occurrence was highest in waters with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of 8–10 °C over shallow depths. Furthermore, shearwaters spent more time flying when SST was warmer than 9 °C, suggesting increased search effort for prey. We hypothesized that the northward shift in the distribution of shearwaters may have been related to temperature-driven changes in the abundance of their dominant prey, krill (Euphausiacea), as the timing of krill spawning coincides with the seasonal increase in water temperature. Our results indicate a flexible response of foraging birds to ongoing changes in the sub-Arctic and Arctic ecosystems

Protein tyrosine phosphatases expression during development of mouse superior colliculus

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key regulators of different processes during development of the central nervous system. However, expression patterns and potential roles of PTPs in the developing superior colliculus remain poorly investigated. In this study, a degenerate primer-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach was used to isolate seven different intracellular PTPs and nine different receptor-type PTPs (RPTPs) from embryonic E15 mouse superior colliculus. Subsequently, the expression patterns of 11 PTPs (TC-PTP, PTP1C, PTP1D, PTP-MEG2, PTP-PEST, RPTPJ, RPTPε, RPTPRR, RPTPσ, RPTPκ and RPTPγ) were further analyzed in detail in superior colliculus from embryonic E13 to postnatal P20 stages by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Each of the 11 PTPs exhibits distinct spatiotemporal regulation of mRNAs and proteins in the developing superior colliculus suggesting their versatile roles in genesis of neuronal and glial cells and retinocollicular topographic mapping. At E13, additional double-immunohistochemical analysis revealed the expression of PTPs in collicular nestin-positive neural progenitor cells and RC-2-immunoreactive radial glia cells, indicating the potential functional importance of PTPs in neurogenesis and gliogenesis

The reproductive performance and body condition of silver gulls (Larus novaehollandiae) during a protracted breeding season

Silver Gulls Lams novaehollandiae were studied on Penguin Island, south-western Western Australia, during three peaks of laying over the eight month breeding seasons of 1987 to 1990. It was hypothesized that seasonal variation in their natural, food supply, would be less during the middle laying-peak, when there is no mass stranding of littoral vegetation on beaches, and that this would be reflected in the body condition of adults as well as characteristics affecting their reproductive success. Clutch-size, egg-size and egg mass did not vary annually, seasonally, or from island to island. Egg-size and mass, however, decreased during the laying sequence. The lipid and protein content of eggs was greatest during the early laying-peak and earlier in the laying sequence, and was more variable in first-laid eggs. There appeared to be no trade-off between clutch-size, egg-size and egg quality, suggesting that the first two may be heritable, whereas egg composition may reflect the body condition of the laying female. The duration of rapid yolk deposition did not vary seasonally, but did vary between females, and averaged ten days. Less yolk was deposited, and at a slower rate, in laterlaid eggs within a clutch. Day-specific growth rings in sibling eggs differed in size, suggesting that daily, yolk deposition was not maternally influenced and unique to each follicle. Embryonic growth followed the von Bertalanffy curve, was constant seasonally and between eggs, and appeared under fixed, probably genetic, control. Eggs containing developing embryos appeared to lose less water via conductance through the shell than other larids, possibly as an adaptation to the warm, mediterranean climate. Hatching success did not vary seasonally, but did vary within clutches. Since female Silver Gulls allocated more reserves to their first-laid eggs, later, smaller and less massive eggs hatched less frequently. The mass, but not the sex, of a hatchling could be predicted from egg mass. Although sex was related to egg sequence, the overall ratio was unity, and suggested that sex determination is a random, meiotic event in Silver Gulls. Hatching success was independent of egg quality, but post-hatching growth and survival were directly related to egg quality. Chicks which died had exhausted their yolk sacs. Surviving hatchlings grew exponentially during the first month of life as the water index of tissues decreased in the entire chick and in its leg musculature. Contrary to initial expectations, adult condition was maximal during the middlelaying peaks, reproductive performance was not proximately constrained by food availability to females, and the gulls were omnivorous. This study showed that the reduced clutch-size and size of later-laid eggs within clutches of Silver Gulls were not proximately controlled by the body condition of adults. Double-brooding and long breeding lifespans mean that a relatively low reproductive effort within a single laying-bout would not necessarily decrease the lifetime reproductive output of Silver Gulls relative to shorter-lived, single-brooded species of temperatenesting larids that lay clutches of three eggs