Marine Biodiversity in the Australian Region

The entire Australian marine jurisdictional area, including offshore and sub-Antarctic islands, is considered in this paper. Most records, however, come from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the continent of Australia itself. The counts of species have been obtained from four primary databases (the Australian Faunal Directory, Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota, Online Zoological Collections of Australian Museums, and the Australian node of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System), but even these are an underestimate of described species. In addition, some partially completed databases for particular taxonomic groups, and specialized databases (for introduced and threatened species) have been used. Experts also provided estimates of the number of known species not yet in the major databases. For only some groups could we obtain an (expert opinion) estimate of undiscovered species. The databases provide patchy information about endemism, levels of threat, and introductions. We conclude that there are about 33,000 marine species (mainly animals) in the major databases, of which 130 are introduced, 58 listed as threatened and an unknown percentage endemic. An estimated 17,000 more named species are either known from the Australian EEZ but not in the present databases, or potentially occur there. It is crudely estimated that there may be as many as 250,000 species (known and yet to be discovered) in the Australian EEZ. For 17 higher taxa, there is sufficient detail for subdivision by Large Marine Domains, for comparison with other National and Regional Implementation Committees of the Census of Marine Life. Taxonomic expertise in Australia is unevenly distributed across taxa, and declining. Comments are given briefly on biodiversity management measures in Australia, including but not limited to marine protected areas

A survey of wildlife populations at Wassaniya forest reserve in Sokoto State, Nigeria

A survey of wildlife populations was conducted between May to September 2009, at Wassaniya forest reserve between Tangaza and Gudu Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, Nigeria. The study area was purposively divided into four main plots based on vegetation density and human interference. Three sample plots each measuring 0.5 ha were randomly selected and demarcated in each main plot for data collection and as replicates. Data was collected using both direct and indirect methods

Phenotypic correlation of linear type measurements and functional type traits in two Nigerian cattle breeds

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of linear measurements and linear type traits in two breeds of cattle in Nigeria. Observations on linear type traits of 142 cows consisting of 89 Bunaji and 53 Sokoto Gudali breeds were scaled and scored thrice within a period of May to July, 2017. Live weight and nine body linear measurements (Height at Rump-HR, Height at Withers-HW, Body Length-BL, Length of Hip-LH, Rump Length-RL, Width of Hips-WH, Width of Pins-WP, Chest Depth-CD, and Chest Width-CW) and eight linear type traits scores (Stature-ST, Body Depth-BD, Rump Width-RW, Teat Length-TL, Udder Depth-UD, Body Condition Score-BCS, Rear Legs Set (side view), and Fore Udder Attachment) were also measured. Result showed significant (p<0.05) difference for HW (129.61±0.31), BL (107.87±0.32), LGT (85.37±0.34), RL (40.04±0.17) and CW (35.07±0.28) for Bunaji cowswhich were higher than HW (127.65±0.40), BL (104.02±0.51), LGT (82.22±0.40), RL (37.87±0.91) and CW (30.04±0.29 cm), respectively for Sokoto Gudali cows. The highest live weight was obtained with Sokoto Gudali (230.61 kg) which differed significantly (p<0.05) from the Bunaji cows (219.05 kg).Keywords: Cattle, Bunaji, Sokoto Gudali, cows, linear type traits Phenotypic correlation result showed that cumulative index had the highest correlation with body length (0.684) in Bunaji cow and highest correlation with width of pins (0.790) in Sokoto Gudali cows. Live weight had thehighest correlation with height at withers (0.701) in Bunaji cows, and highest correlation with chest depth (0.823) in Sokoto Gudali cows. In conclusion, there were considerable variations observed for some body measurements, linear type and functional indices and type trait scores between Bunaji and Sokoto Gudali cows, which indicated clear genetic distinction between them

Detailed measurements and shaping of gate profiles for microchannel-plate-based X-ray framing cameras

Gated, microchannel-plate-based (MCP) framing cameras are increasingly used worldwide for x-ray imaging of subnanosecond laser-plasma phenomena. Large dynamic range (> 1,000) measurements of gain profiles for gated microchannel plates (MCP) are presented. Temporal profiles are reconstructed for any point on the microstrip transmission line from data acquired over many shots with variable delay. No evidence for significant pulse distortion by voltage reflections at the ends of the microstrip is observed. The measured profiles compare well to predictions by a time-dependent discrete dynode model down to the 1% level. The calculations do overestimate the contrast further into the temporal wings. The role of electron transit time dispersion in limiting the minimum achievable gate duration is then investigated by using variable duration flattop gating pulses. A minimum gate duration of 50 ps is achieved with flattop gating, consistent with a fractional transit time spread of {approx} 15%

A Generalized Input–Output Multiplier Calculus for Australia

A static, generalized input-output framework for calculating simple multipliers is presented for Australian data. In this framework, capital investment and imports are internalized into domestic inter-industrial intermediate demand, non-square matrices are introduced in order to enable the inclusion of finer detail commodity data, and matrices in both monetary and physical units are employed. A range of labour and energy multipliers are calculated, referring to total output, final demand, final consumption, basic values, producers' prices, purchasers' prices, commodities and industries. Uncertainties of multipliers are assessed in detail, using Monte Carlo simulations.Input-OUTPUT Multipliers, Uncertainty Analysis, Australia,