The Ecology of the Western Swamp Tortoise Pseudemydura Umbrina (Testudines: Chelidae).

1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
AA Burbidge
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
The Other ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Monotypic Genus ◽  
Insect Larvae ◽  
Relict Species ◽  
Desiccation Rate ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Growth Activity

Western swamp tortoise (Pseudemydura umbrina) was rediscovered in Western Australia in 1954. It is a relict species of a monotypic genus, of very restricted range and specialized habitat. Population was estimated to be 13 to 45 and decreasing at 1 of its 2 native reserves and to be 10 to 45 and static at the other reserve. It does not use permanent water, but lives and feeds in ephemeral winter swamps and spends the other 6 to 9 months of the year in refuges in leaf litter, under fallen branches or in holes in the ground, in contact with the soil. The tortoise is carnivorous and in the wild takes only live aquatic organisms. Captive adults will not take meat until they have starved for many months. Stomach of 1 female (Edward, pers. commun.) had aquatic crustaceans, chiefly Eulimnadia sp., with insects and insect larvae, mainly Coleoptera and Diptera. Study of faeces confirmed that observation had shown that small tadpoles and an aquatic earthworm (Eodrilus cornigravei) were eaten also. Reproduction, growth, activity relative to body and water temperature, and desiccation rate, were noted. One adult female tortoise was eaten by a fox. Foxes and bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) eat eggs of other tortoises and would eat those of P. umbrina. Hatchlings may be eaten by large wading birds such as straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) and white-faced heron (Notophoyx novaehollandiae).

scholarly journals Water temperature affects aggressive interactions in a Neotropical cichlid fish

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela L. Brandão ◽  
Gisele Colognesi ◽  
Marcela C. Bolognesi ◽  
Roselene S. Costa-Ferreira ◽  
Thaís B. Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Swimming Activity ◽  
Critical Thermal Maximum ◽  
Physiological Mechanisms ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Thermal Maximum

ABSTRACT Changes in water temperature may affect the aggressive behavior of aquatic organisms, such as fish, either by changing some physiological mechanisms or by increasing the probability of encounters between individuals as a result of variation in their swimming activity. In our study, we evaluated the influence of increasing and decreasing temperature on the aggressive behavior of the Neotropical cichlid fish Cichlasoma paranaense. Firstly, we tested the critical thermal maximum (CTMax) tolerated by this species. Then, we tested the effect of decreasing or increasing the water temperature in 6o C (starting at 27° C) on the aggressive interactions of fish under isolation or housed in groups. We found a CTMax value of 39° C for C. paranaense. We also observe that a 6° C decrease in water temperature lowers swimming activity and aggressive interactions in both isolated and group-housed fish, as expected. On the other hand, the increase in temperature had no effect on the fish’s aggressive behavior, neither for isolated nor for grouped fish. We concluded that C. paranaense shows high tolerance to elevated temperatures and, in turn, it does not affect aggressive behavior. Nevertheless, we cannot dismiss possible effects of elevated temperatures on aggressive interactions over longer periods.

A new genus and species of Sclerodactylidae (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Sclerothyoninae) from the Pacific coast of Panama, and assignment of Neopentamera anexigua to Sclerothyoninae

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4429 (1) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
LUCIANA MARTINS ◽  
MARCOS TAVARES
Keyword(s):  
Body Wall ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Other ◽  
Monotypic Genus ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Calcareous Ring

Paulayellus gustavi, a new sclerodactylid genus and species, is described from the Pacific coast of Panama. The new genus and species is assigned to the subfamily Sclerothyoninae based on a suite of characters, which include the radial and interradial plates of the calcareous ring united at the base only. Paulayellus gen. nov. differs from the other Sclerothyoninae genera in having posterior processesof radial plates undivided. Additionally, differs from Sclerothyone, Thandarum and Neopentamera in having knobbed buttons, plates and cups in the body wall (whereas the body wall is furnished only with tables and plates in Sclerothyone, Temparena and Thandarum, and only with knobbed buttons and plates in Neopentamera). The new genus is, so far, monotypic. The also monotypic genus Neopentamera proved to have the radial and the interradial plates of the calcareous ring united at the base only, as typically found in the Sclerothyoninae, and is therefore transferred to that subfamily. The discovery of a new genus in the Sclerothyoninae and the transfer of Neopentamera required the amendation of the diagnosis for the subfamily. A key to the Sclerothyoninae is given. 

scholarly journals Aquatic Biota is Not Exempt from Coronavirus Infections: An Overview

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Núñez-Nogueira ◽  
Andres Arturo Granados-Berber
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Terrestrial Environments ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Human Health Effects

Coronaviruses are pathogens recognized for having an animal origin, commonly associated with terrestrial environments. However, although in a few cases, there are reports of their presence in aquatic organisms like fish, frogs, waterfowls and marine mammals. None of these cases has led to human health effects when contact with these infected organisms has taken place, whether they are alive or dead. Aquatic birds seem to be the main group carrying and circulating these types of viruses among healthy bird populations. Although the route of infection for CoVID-19 by water or aquatic organisms has not yet been observed in the wild, the relevance of its study is highlighted because there are cases of other viral infections known to have been transferred to humans by aquatic biota. It is encouraging to know that aquatic species, such as fish, marine mammals, and amphibians, shows very few cases of coronaviruses and that some other aquatic animals may also be a possible source of cure or treatment against then, as some evidence with algae and marine sponges suggest.

scholarly journals Aquatic Biota is Not Exempt from Coronavirus Infections: An Overview

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
GABRIEL NÚÑEZ-NOGUEIRA ◽  
Andres Arturo Granados-Berber
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Terrestrial Environments ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Human Health Effects

Coronaviruses are pathogens recognized for having an animal origin and commonly associated with terrestrial environments. However, although in few cases, there are reports of their presence in aquatic organisms like fish, crustaceans, waterfowls and marine mammals. None of these cases have even led to human health effects, when contact with these infected organisms, whether they are alive or dead. Aquatic birds seem to be the main group in carrying and circulating these types of viruses in healthy bird populations and play an important role in these environments. Although the route of infection for CoVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) by water or aquatic organisms, has not yet been observed in the wild, the relevance of its study is highlighted , because there are cases of other viral infections (no coronavirus), which are known to have been transferred to the human by aquatic biota. What is even better, it becomes encouraging to know that aquatic species shows very few cases in fishes, marine mammals, and crustaceans, and some other aquatic animals may also be a possible source of cure or treatment against coronaviruses, as some evidence with algae and marine sponges suggests.

scholarly journals Natural history of the lizard Enyalius brasiliensis (Lesson, 1828) (Leiosauridae) from an Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

2004 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Van Sluys ◽  
V. M. Ferreira ◽  
C. F. D. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
The Other ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Important Food ◽  
Insect Larvae ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Food Items ◽  
History Of ◽  
Forest Leaf Litter

Information on the ecology of lizard species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is scarce and almost nothing is known about the ecology of lizards of the genus Enyalius. In this study, we provide information about some aspects of the natural history of E. brasiliensis from an area of Atlantic Forest in Ilha Grande, RJ. Enyalius brasiliensis (N = 15) feeds mainly on arthropods. The most frequent food items were insect larvae, orthopterans, and ants; in terms of volume, larvae and termites were the most important food items; ants and termites were the most numerous prey categories. Two females were reproductive (one had 10 and the other, five vitellogenic follicles); the smallest measured 92.4 mm in SVL. Seven lizards were found on forest leaf litter. The other microhabitats used were vines, fallen logs, branches, and a crevice on a slope.

Effect of pressure on thermal insulation in humans wearing wet suits

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 1916-1922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. H. Park ◽  
J. Iwamoto ◽  
F. Tajima ◽  
K. Miki ◽  
Y. S. Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Heat Loss ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Heat Production ◽  
Water Immersion ◽  
The Other ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Metabolic Heat ◽  
Healthy Males

The present work was undertaken to determine the critical water temperature (Tcw), defined as the lowest water temperature a subject can tolerate at rest for 3 h without shivering, of wet-suited subjects during water immersion at different ambient pressures. Nine healthy males wearing neoprene wet suits (5 mm thick) were subjected to immersion to the neck in water at 1, 2, and 2.5 ATA while resting for 3 h. Continuous measurements of esophageal (T(es)) and skin (Tsk) temperatures and heat loss from the skin (Htissue) and wet suits (Hsuit) were recorded. Insulation of the tissue (Itissue), wet suits (Isuit), and overall total (Itotal) were calculated from the temperature gradient and the heat loss. The Tcw increased curvilinearly as the pressure increased, whereas the metabolic heat production during rest and immersion was identical over the range of pressure tested. During the 3rd h of immersion, Tes was identical under all atmospheric pressures; however, Tsk was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) at 2 and 2.5 ATA compared with 1 ATA. A 42 (P less than 0.001) and 50% (P less than 0.001), reduction in Isuit from the 1 ATA value was detected at 2 and 2.5 ATA, respectively. However, overall mean Itissue was maximal and independent of the pressure during immersion at Tcw. The Itotal was also significantly smaller in 2 and 2.5 ATA compared with 1 ATA. The Itissue provided most insulation in the extremities, such as the hand and foot, and the contribution of Isuit in these body parts was relatively small. On the other hand, Itissue of the trunk areas, such as the chest, back, and thigh, was not high compared with the extremities, and Isuit played a major role in the protection of heat drain from these body parts.

Ivoria taiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a remarkable new mite genus from West Africa (Acari: Mesostigmata: Urodinychidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1063-1070
Author(s):  
Jeno Kontschán
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Ivory Coast ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
The Other ◽  
Monotypic Genus ◽  
The Family ◽  
Mite Genus

A new monotypic genus, Ivoria taiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Uropodinychidae) is described on the basis of seven females collected in soil samples from Ivory Coast. The new genus has large and robust chelicerae, but it differs from the other Uropodina genera having similar chelicerae in several characters, which are presented in a comparative table. The new genus is placed in the family Urodinychidae based on its long setae h1, chelicerae with an internal sclerotized node, fixed digit of chelicerae apically smooth and devoid of apical processes, corniculi smooth.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity and structure of the binturong Arctictis binturong (Carnivora: Viverridae) – status of the elusive Palawan binturong and implications for conservation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Géraldine Veron ◽  
Agathe Debruille ◽  
Pauline Kayser ◽  
Desamarie Antonette P Fernandez ◽  
Aude Bourgeois
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
The Other ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Crucial Importance ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Genetic Diversity And Structure

Abstract The binturong or bearcat is a forest mesocarnivore ranging from Nepal to Indonesia and the Philippines. Several subspecies of binturongs are recognized but a revision is needed. The binturong from Palawan was described as a species and is now considered a subspecies, but its status has never been checked using molecular approaches. Owing to its restricted range and the pressure on its habitat, the Palawan binturong may be endangered. It is, therefore, of crucial importance to clarify its taxonomic status, particularly for the management of captive populations. We sequenced one nuclear and two mitochondrial markers for binturongs from locations across the species range and from zoos. Our results provide an assessment of the genetic polymorphism and structure within the binturong, resulting in two groups, corresponding to the Indochinese and the Sundaic regions. Within the latter were found the Palawan binturongs on one side, and an individual from Sulu archipelago (a locality not reported before) on the other side. The Palawan binturongs form a monophyletic group, genetically close to Bornean binturongs, which suggests that they may have dispersed from Borneo, and represents a lineage worth preserving, but which is not a separate species nor a separate subspecies.

Trichomycete gut fungi in New Zealand aquatic insect larvae

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin C. Williams ◽  
Robert W. Lichtwardt
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Aquatic Insect ◽  
The Other ◽  
Insect Larvae ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
The World ◽  
Chironomidae Larvae ◽  
Aquatic Insect Larvae

New Zealand, like other regions of the world, has now been shown to have a diverse and rich assortment of Trichomycetes (Zygomycotina). Seven of the 14 species of Harpellales we found in aquatic insect larvae are known from other land areas. The remaining seven species, consisting of six Harpellales and one Amoebidiales, are new and possibly endemic. A new genus, Austrosmittium, from Chironomidae larvae is established, with two species, A. kiwiorum and A. norinsulare. The other new species are Glotzia plecopterorum (in Plecoptera), Paramoebidium bibrachium (Amoebidiales, in Ephemeroptera), Pennella asymmetrica (in Simuliidae), and Smittium rarum and Stachylina minima (in Chironomidae). All of the new species were found either on North Island or South Island, but not both. We also report the presence on South Island of two widespread species of marine trichomycetes (Eccrinales), Enteromyces callianassae and Taeniella carcini, in anomuran and brachyuran crustaceans.

scholarly journals The illegal pet trade is driving Madagascar's ploughshare tortoise to extinction

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo R. Mandimbihasina ◽  
Lance G. Woolaver ◽  
Lianne E. Concannon ◽  
E. J. Milner-Gulland ◽  
Richard E. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Trade Routes ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
North Western

AbstractThe illegal wildlife trade is driving declines in populations of a number of large, charismatic animal species but also many lesser known and restricted-range species, some of which are now facing extinction as a result. The ploughshare tortoise Astrochelys yniphora, endemic to the Baly Bay National Park of north-western Madagascar, is affected by poaching for the international illegal pet trade. To quantify this, we estimated population trends during 2006–2015, using distance sampling surveys along line transects, and recorded national and international confiscations of trafficked tortoises for 2002–2016. The results suggest the ploughshare tortoise population declined > 50% during this period, to c. 500 adults and subadults in 2014–2015. Prior to 2006 very few tortoises were seized either in Madagascar or internationally but confiscations increased sharply from 2010. Since 2015 poaching has intensified, with field reports suggesting that two of the four subpopulations are extinct, leaving an unknown but almost certainly perilously low number of adult tortoises in the wild. This study has produced the first reliable population estimate of the ploughshare tortoise and shows that the species has declined rapidly because of poaching for the international pet trade. There is an urgent need for increased action both in Madagascar and along international trade routes if the extinction of the ploughshare tortoise in the wild is to be prevented.

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