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In a commercial fishery, some fish are classified as low-value, but their classification varies in different countries. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance, contribution, and dominance of low-value fish species, such as Abramis brama < 1000 g, Alburnus alburnus, Blicca bjoerkna, Gymnocephalus cernua, Perca fluviatilis < 100 g, Rutilus rutilus < 200 g, and Scardinius erythrophthalmus < 200 g, in 145 Polish lakes of different areas, depths, and trophic statuses situated in the northern and central parts of Poland in 2021. Perca fluviatilis and R. rutilus were the most frequent low-value species (100% and 99%, respectively). The contribution of all low-value fish to the total biomass of caught fish was relatively high, ranging from 37% in the mesotrophic lake to 100% in the eutrophic lake (mean of 77 ± 14%). Lakes in which the contribution of low-value species exceeded 90% were relatively numerous (24 lakes, 17% of the studied lakes). Among a total of about 437.5 thousand low-value fish, 261 thousand specimens (60%) had a body weight of below 10 g. All low-value fish species, except for P. fluviatilis and S. erythrophthalmus, were related to the studied environmental variables. The relative biomass of these species increased with increasing lake productivity, while it decreased with the increasing maximum and mean depth of the studied lakes. The high contribution of low-value fish to the total biomass in many lakes indicates the need for the constant monitoring of the abundance and structure of fish communities and the use of appropriate actions (biomanipulation and stocking with piscivorous fish species) to improve the ecological condition of lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective fisheries management requires an understanding of human dimensions. This study elicited the salient motivations for recreational blue swimmer crab and black bream fishing in Western Australia and whether these views differed depending on the fishing location and/or the characteristics of the fisher. Crab fishers were strongly consumption-orientated and aimed to "catch big crabs" and "catch enough crabs to eat". Furthermore, 91% consumed their catch, with only 2% practicing catch-and-release fishing. In contrast, 81% of black bream fishers did so for the sport/challenge, with the strongest motivation being to catch a bream considerably above legal size and with food only selected by 15% of respondents; most fishers released caught fish. The marked differences between the fisheries for the two species, which co-occur in the same estuaries, are likely driven by the accessible nature of the crab fishery, ease of catching crabs, the low cost of fishing equipment, and their taste. Fishing for black bream, however, requires more expensive equipment, patience, and a greater skill level. Fishers considered crabbing to be as important as other fishing and outdoor activities, whereas bream fishers considered bream fishing considerably more important, reflecting the trophy nature of this fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hippocampal atrophy in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) has been reported to be similar to that in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: To evaluate if CAA pathology partly mediates reduced hippocampal volume in patients with AD. Methods: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD and neuropathological confirmation of AD+/-CAA in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database were included in the study. The volumes of temporal lobe structures were calculated on T1-weighted imaging (T1-MRI) using automated FreeSurfer software, from images acquired on average 5 years prior to death. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to compare brain volumes in four CAA groups. The hippocampal volume on T1-MRI was correlated with Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes (CDRsb) score, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, and hippocampal atrophy at autopsy. Results: The study included 231 patients with no (n = 45), mild (n = 70), moderate (n = 67), and severe (n = 49) CAA. Among the four CAA groups, patients with severe CAA had a smaller mean left hippocampal volume (p = 0.023) but this was not significant when adjusted for APOE ɛ4 (p = 0.07). The left hippocampal volume on MRI correlated significantly with the hippocampal atrophy grading on neuropathology (p = 0.0003). Among patients with severe CAA, the left hippocampal volume on T1-MRI: (a) decreased with an increase in the number of APOE ɛ4 alleles (p = 0.04); but (b) had no evidence of correlation with CDRsb score (p = 0.57). Conclusion: Severe CAA was associated with smaller left hippocampal volume on T1-MRI up to five years prior to death among patients with neuropathologically confirmed AD. This relationship was dependent on APOE ɛ4 genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss are the major threats to freshwater biodiversity. The aim of this study was to determine the species richness and diversity of fish in 535 Polish lakes of different morphometry (area of more than 50 ha and a maximum depth ranging from 0.4 to 108.5 m) and trophic status (from oligotrophy to hypereutrophy). A total of 39 fish species were found in the studied lakes, among which eight species were alien invasive. The Shannon diversity index varied between 0 and 2.04.The most common and frequent species were Rutilus rutilus (99.8% frequency) and Perca fluviatilis (99.6% frequency). Ten fish species, including five alien ones, were characterized by a very low frequency (<1%). The number of fish species in single lakes ranged from 1 to 19. In most of the studied lakes, 11 and 12 species (104 and 108 lakes, respectively) were caught. The richest taxonomic composition (19 species) was recorded in the meso-eutrophic lake with an area of 80 ha and a maximum depth of 34.4 m, slightly poorer (18 species) in the hypereutrophic lake with an area of 168 ha and a maximum depth of 2.7 m. The poorest taxonomic composition (one species) was found in a lake with low conductivity and circumneutral pH. Statistical analysis showed that the number of fish species decreased with increasing eutrophication conditions of the studied lakes, while it increased with an increasing area and the maximum depth of these lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunting trophies are shown to be undergoing socialization in photos. They are no longer personal souvenirs that serve a purely introspective function for the individual. Hunting photos are discussed, critiqued, and conspicuously displayed across online and print platforms. They are shared between hunters and lately also between hunters and the public. Criteria for good hunting photos reflect the changing modality and times in which photos are shared. The ways hunters stage, compose, and manipulate their hunting tableaux evolve to address external and internal pressures regarding their representation. This evolution is illustrated in qualitative interviews with hunting magazine editors and hunting photographers in Sweden, as well as review of 320 hunting magazine covers from 1960s to today. To this new class of hunter-artists, the presentation of the quarry as object or sovereign wildlife changes the hunting tableau and also responds to contested ideals of authenticity in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The TROPHY registry has been established to conduct an international multicenter prospective data collection on the surgical management of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)-related hydrocephalus to possibly contribute to future guidelines. The registry allows comparing the techniques established to treat hydrocephalus, such as external ventricular drainage (EVD), ventricular access device (VAD), ventricular subgaleal shunt (VSGS), and neuroendoscopic lavage (NEL). This first status report of the registry presents the results of the standard of care survey of participating centers assessed upon online registration. Methods: On the standard of treatment forms, each center indicated the institutional protocol of interventions performed for neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (nPHH) for a time period of 2 years (Y1 and Y2) before starting the active participation in the registry. In addition, the amount of patients enrolled so far and allocated to a treatment approach are reported. Results: According to the standard of treatment forms completed by 56 registered centers, fewer EVDs (Y1 55% Y2 46%) were used while more centers have implemented NEL (Y1 39%; Y2 52%) to treat nPHH. VAD (Y1 66%; Y2 66%) and VSGS (Y1 42%; Y2 41%) were used at a consistent rate during the 2 years. The majority of the centers used at least two different techniques to treat nPHH (43%), while 27% used only one technique, 21% used three, and 7% used even four different techniques. Patient data of 110 infants treated surgically between 9/2018 and 2/2021 (13% EVD, 15% VAD, 30% VSGS, and 43% NEL) were contributed by 29 centers. Conclusions: Our results emphasize the varying strategies used for the treatment of nPHH. The international TROPHY registry has entered into a phase of growing patient recruitment. Further evaluation will be performed and published according to the registry protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the change in the value of morpho-metric parameters of antlers and the total trophy score in relation to the age of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.). The study was conducted on 228 roe deer trophies from the "Barajevska reka" hunting ground in Serbia, aged one to seven years. From the second to the fourth year, the growth of antlers was the most intense, and the differences compared to one year old animals were significant (P <0.001). The highest average length of the branches was monitored in six years old animals (22.4 ± 2.05 cm), with significant differences (P <0.001) compared to younger animals, except for the three years old animals (P>0.05). From the second to the fifth year, a gradual increase in antler weight (from 192.2 ± 30.41 g to 221.9 ± 61.86 g) and antler volume (from 74 cm3 to 90 cm3) was observed, with the highest values of antler weight (291.8 ± 58.43 g and 319.1 ± 98.89 g, respectively) and antler volume (123.8 cm3 and 121.2 cm3) in six and seven year old animals. Overall trophy scores increased from year one to year seven (42.6 ± 7.86 vs 97.4 ± 27.40), with differences in trophy scores for animals aged six and seven years significantly greater than for animals aged one to five years (P <0.001). The highest quality antlers have six and seven year olds, at which time their hunting should be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Stocking larger pre-recruited largemouth bass bypasses some of the density dependent mortality of the juvenile period and can lead to greater abundance of catchable fish. • Common stocking practices perform poorly at maintaining both trophy fisheries and wild spawner biomass. • Stocking small fingerlings is not effective at improving fish abundance under most conditions, but restocking of small fish can help rebuild depleted populations. • Stocking strategies should be designed and implemented according to specific management objectives. Abstract Stock enhancement is a practiced management strategy for sustaining and rebuilding largemouth bass fisheries in Florida and throughout their native and introduced range. However, quantitative assessment comparing efficacy of stocking to traditional management approaches are rare. We adapt an age-structured population model that explicitly represents the size and density-dependent effects on mortality and somatic growth to assess potential outcomes of stocking largemouth bass relative to traditional length-based harvest regulations. We explore two management situations in which stocking might be considered: maintaining high abundance in an exploited population and rebuilding a population that has been depleted. We find that different stocking scenarios comprised of combinations of size, density, and duration at which fish were stocked influence three fishery response metrics: abundance of catchable fish, abundance of trophy-sized fish and relative wild spawner biomass. Stocking larger juveniles can bypass some of the compensatory density dependence and yield a net augmentation of total abundance of catchable largemouth bass, but usually leads to a reduction in the abundance of the wild population and the number of trophy-sized bass. We find enhancements of small (25 mm) fingerlings fail to help maintain or augment wild populations, but could be effective at rebuilding depleted bass populations and may replace the need for effort restriction. Our study suggests stocking is a comparatively powerful tool for achieving high catch rates in largemouth bass fisheries, but may perform poorly at meeting other objectives of largemouth bass management such as production of trophy fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton (including plant-like, animal-like algae and Cyanobacteria) blooms have recently become a serious global threat to the sustenance of ecosystems, to human and animal health and to economy. This study focused on the composition and stability of blooms as well as their taxa-specific ecological sensitivity to the main causal factors (especially phosphorus and nitrogen) in degraded urban lakes. The analyzed lakes were assessed with respect to the trophic state as well as ecological status. Total phytoplankton biomass (ranging from 1.5 to 181.3 mg dm −3 ) was typical of blooms of different intensity, which can appear during a whole growing season but are the most severe in early or late summer. Our results suggested that steady-state and non-steady-state bloom assemblages including mono-, bi- and multi-species or heterogeneous blooms may occur in urban lakes. The most intense blooms were formed by the genera of Cyanobacteria: Microcystis , Limnothrix, Pseudanabaena , Planktothrix , Bacillariophyta: Cyclotella and Dinophyta mainly Ceratium and Peridinium . Considering the sensitivity of phytoplankton assemblages, a new eco-sensitivity factor was proposed (E-SF), based on the concept of Phytoplankton Trophic Index composed of trophic scores of phytoplankton taxa along the eutrophication gradient. The E-SF values of 0.5, 1.3, 6.7 and 15.1 were recognized in lakes having a high, good, moderate or poor ecological status, respectively. For lake restoration, each type of bloom should be considered separately because of different sensitivities of taxa and relationships with environmental variables. Proper recognition of the taxa-specific response to abiotic (especially to N and P enrichment) and biotic factors could have significant implications for further water protection and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions Ellenberg nutrient values based on indicator plant species composition of vegetation plots (mN) are widely used to measure temporal and spatial patterns of nutrient deficiency and eutrophication. The widespread use is in contrast to the lack of direct calibration against soil chemical proxies of nutrient availability. Lack of calibration and range contraction due to averaging of a bounded ordinal scale hinder the interpretation of mN across studies. Based on a large set of concomitant vegetation-soil data we asked: (1) which is the best single soil predictor of mN, (2) which combination of soil variables best explains mN; and (3) can a meaningful relative scale of mN be provided for comparative purposes? Location Forests in Germany, sampled in a systematic 8 km × 8 km grid. Methods The German National Forest Soil Inventory ( NFSI) provides a large, representative sample of joint soil and vegetation plots, which were additionally intersected with modelled background N deposition. Values of mN of vegetation plots were related to measured 36 soil and three deposition variables by correlation and multiple regression. The distribution of mN was partitioned based on quantiles. Results In NFSI mN was most closely related to the C/N ratio of the topsoil ( r² = 0.31). Multiple analysis regression showed that soil acidity, soil P and K, humus quality and deposition were complementary predictors (multiple r² = 0.47) of mN. Conclusions Values of mN are moderately, but consistently, related to measurable chemical properties of forest soils. The 10, 30, 70 and 90% quantiles of the frequency distribution of mN in the NFSI data are proposed to define a relative scale of macronutrient availability in forest soils, distinguishing very oligotrophic (mN < 3.38), oligotrophic (3.38-4.8), mesotrophic (4.80-5.75), eutrophic (5.75-6.21) and highly eutrophic (>6.21) sites, which broadly correspond to conventional classes of C/N ratio used in forest site mapping. This proposed five-class trophic scale can be used to compare mN and its trends across studies in forest vegetation of Central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of the quality of roe deer bucks at different age (2-7 years) was performed based on carcass weight and trophy mass and quality of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus l.) bucks (n = 775) from field and forest hunting areas of Legnica district (Lower Silesia) obtained in years 1999 to 2012. The effect of the quality of the ecosystem - soil fertility grade, was taken into consideration while analyzing bucks traits. Diversity of carcass weight and trophy mass was significantly (P=0,05) affected by age. Correlation coefficient between carcass weight and the age of buck was r = + 0.36, while between carcass weight and trophy mass was r = + 0,51. Despite lack of significant differences in carcass and trophy mass between field and forest ecosystems antlers quality was significantly affected. Bucks from forest hunting area had the highest score of antler quality (2,20/2,24 pt CIC) when compared to bucks from the field environment described as rich soil agriculture land (2,10/2,03 pt CIC). In most trophies left antlers were graded higher than right ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of the quality of roe deer bucks at different age (2-7 years) was performed based on carcass weight and trophy mass and quality of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus l.) bucks (n = 775) from field and forest hunting areas of Legnica district (Lower Silesia) obtained in years 1999 to 2012. The effect of the quality of the ecosystem-soil fertility grade, was taken into consideration while analyzing bucks traits. Diversity of carcass weight and trophy mass was significantly (P=0,05) affected by age. Correlation coefficient between carcass weight and the age of buck was r = + 0.36, while betwee5n carcass weight and trophy mass was r = + 0,51. Despite lack of significant differences in carcass and trophy mass between field and forest ecosystems antlers quality was significantly affected. Bucks from forest hunting area had the highest score of antler quality (2,20/2,24 pt CIC) when compared to bucks from the field environment described as rich soil agriculture land (2,10/2,03 pt CIC). In most trophies left antlers were graded higher than right ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to compare cyanobacterial and algal assemblages occurring in ornithocoprophilous habitats formed under the influence of two seabird colonies (mixed colony of piscivorous Uria lomvia and Rissa tridactyla and planktivorous Alle alle) nesting on the southwest side of Hornsund (Spitsbergen). Various influences of the bird colonies ( e.g. surface trophy, treading) lead to the formation of ornithogenic habitats with quantitatively and qualitatively diverse cyanobacterial and algal assemblages. Only 6 species common to both habitats were identified, but due to their different proportions the similarity ended there. Cyanobacterial and algal assemblages of both ornithogenic habitats also react rather differently to the intensity of the bird colonies' influence. The assemblages located directly beneath piscivorous bird nests were characterized by a larger number of species, which decreased the farther from the colony it was. Cyanobacterial and algal assemblages located directly next to planktivorous bird nests were species poor, but species richness increased at locations farther from their direct influence. The obtained results confirmed that bird colonies characterized by different diet and behavior influenced the formation of two separate, quantitatively and qualitatively different cyanobacterial and algal assemblages. Species such as Eucapsis sp., Gleocapsopsis sp., Gloeothece sp., Woronichinia sp., Hematococcus sp. were characteristic for algae and cyanobacteria assemblages in the vicinity of piscivorous bird colonies, whereas Aphanocapsa sp., Gloeothece sp., Komvophoron minutum, Pseudanabaena sp., Gloeocystis sp. 2 occurred in the vicinity of planktivorous bird colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) can contribute to ammonia biotransformation in freshwater lake ecosystems. However, the factors shaping the distribution of sediment AOA and AOB in plateau freshwater lake remains unclear. The present study investigated sediment AOA and AOB communities in two freshwater lakes (hypertrophic Dianchi Lake and mesotrophic Erhai Lake) on the Yunnan Plateau (China). A remarkable difference in the abundance, diversity, and composition of sediment AOA and AOB communities was observed between Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake. AOB usually outnumbered AOA in Dianchi Lake, but AOA showed the dominance in Erhai Lake. Organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) might be the key determinants of AOB abundance, while AOA abundance was likely influenced by the ration of OM to TN (C/N). AOA or AOB community structure was found to be relatively similar in the same lake. TN and TP might play important roles in shaping sediment AOA and AOB compositions in Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake. Moreover, Nitrososphaera-like AOA were detected in Dianchi Lake. Nitrosospira- and Nitrosomonas-like AOB were dominant in Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake, respectively. Sediment AOA and AOB communities in Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake were generally regulated by trophic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents data on the Roman relief depicting military gear, whose provenance and discovery date had not been previously ascertained. Thanks to archival data, we have learned that the relief was found in Split in 1924, not far from the western wall of Diocletian's Palace, and that the Archaeological Museum purchased it in 1942. In this regard, some assumptions are made as to its original location. Data are also presented on the Early Christian sarcophagus from Kaštel Lukšić, which was once offered to the Museum for purchase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age, field-dressed body weight, and antler spread data collected from 11,566 harvested moose (Alces alces) were analyzed to assess whether temporal change has occurred in the physical characteristics of bull moose from 1980-2009 in Maine. The annual proportion and antler spread of trophy bulls (spread ≥ 137 cm; n = 851) were also analyzed. There was no evidence of a measurable decline in the body weight or antler spread of adult bull moose (≥1.5 years old), similar to findings in Vermont and New Hampshire in a recent >20 year temporal analysis. There was a slight increase in physical characteristics of yearlings that contrasted with the trend in New Hampshire and Vermont where it is speculated that parasitism by winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) reduces growth rate and recruitment by yearlings. The proportion of trophy bulls in the harvest declined proportionally ~26% (9.3 to 6.9%) as harvest increased >2x from 1980-1987 to 2005-2009; however, the mean spread of trophy bulls declined by only 2% (P = 0.002). Additionally, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in the proportion of harvested bulls within each age class between 1980-1987 and 2005- 2009, and the relatively stable proportion of mature bulls (>5 years old) in the harvest across time periods (30-44%) does not suggest selective harvest of older, trophy bulls. In the face of the declining regional population, continued monitoring of harvested moose is warranted to best manage the largest and longest harvested population in the northeastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Length and structural complexity of antlers provide an indication of individual quality in many ungulates in the context of female mate choice and trophy hunting. Selectivity of hunters for individuals with various antler sizes may have bearing on the population structure. It is less well understood, however, whether and how antler anomalies may signal individual characteristics. We used data on 2,461 roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) males harvested by stalking during 1966-2011 in western Poland to test hypotheses explaining probability of occurrence of accessory, broken, and malformed antlers. By employing a multinomial logistic regression, we showed that the probability of occurrence of broken and malformed antlers increased in males older than 2 years. Probability of occurrence of accessory and, in young males, broken antlers was higher in individuals with increased body weight. Occurrence of malformed antlers decreased over the study period. Contrary to our prediction, we did not detect an effect of distance to forest on the probability of malformed antlers occurring. We conclude that the main premise of compensatory culling is not supported in roe deer. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to identify seasonal changes in phytoplankton taxonomic structure and development rates to characterize phytoplankton communities as determinants of the trophic and ecological conditions of Lake Kortowskie in northeast Poland which has been undergoing restoration with selective hypolimnetic withdrawal. The lake was designated as being of high trophic state and bad ecological status based on intense phytoplankton growth, the strong dominance and persistent occurrence of blue-green algae, and seasonal modifications in phytoplankton taxonomic structure and assemblage growth rates. The ecological status of the lake assessed in 2011 corresponds to that determined in 1987-1990 and 1999 and indicates that eutrophication in Lake Kortowskie is progressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both King Solomon's Mines (1885) and Allan Quatermain (1887) pursue a quest to regenerate the authority of the English gentleman as 'the highest rank that a man can reach upon this earth'. The present essay focuses upon Haggard's construction of this ideal of masculinity through the combination of the qualities of the gentleman with those of the barbarian. The discussion follows both Laura Chrisman and Bradley Deane in attending to the relationship between the ideological structures of metropole and colony. This article, however, situates Haggard's masculinist ideology in relation to the wider cultural poetics of late-Victorian material culture, particularly as manifested in the imperial souvenir – a complicated category of thing that comprises artefacts, hunting trophies and human relics. Attention to their thingness entails reflection upon the complexity of textual representations of objects and practical encounters with them as constituent elements of late-Victorian material culture. In addition to examining the significance of hunting and battle trophies in Haggard's fiction, close attention is also paid to the keynote spectacle of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition at the South Kensington Museum in 1886, Rowland Ward's habitat diorama, 'The Jungle', and to Ward's subsequent forays into 'animal furniture'. Through reflection on such formations of objects, the thingness of the imperial souvenir illuminates the ideological formations within which hegemonic masculinity and imperialism were articulated at this key moment in the mid-1880s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The historical development of the hydroseral vegetation of three humic lakes was studied. We applied a combination of methods to reconstruct the past vegetation (plant macroscopic remains, peat decomposition, sediment chemistry and radiocarbon dating). The contemporary environment of these lakes was assessed by vegetation and water chemistry analyses. The oldest foreshore sediments were formed 13075-12700 cal BP (Lake Suchar VI), 10115-9670 cal BP (Lake Suchar III) and 8747-8479 cal BP (Lake Widne). The differences in contemporary vegetation are reflected in the subfossil plant assemblages. From the beginning, poor fens and bogs occurred beside Lake Suchar III, moderately rich and poor fens were developed at Lake Suchar VI, while reedswamps and moderately rich fens occurred at Lake Widne. The foreshore vegetation changed over time but only within a restricted range, specific for each lake corresponding to the hydrochemical differences between the lakes. Lakes are classified as humic if some features are combined, such as the specific vegetation and water parameters. However, over the past few decades escalating climatic and anthropogenic changes could transform the character of these water bodies. The application of multidisciplinary methods permitted comparison of the development of three apparently similar lakes and identification of significant ecological differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilts, E.F., Wulfken, D., Ahlrichs, W.H. and Martínez Arbizu, P. 2012. The musculature of Squatinella rostrum (Milne, 1886) (Rotifera: Lepadellidae) as revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy with additional new data on its trophi and overall morphology.- Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93: 14-27. The monogonont rotifer Squatinella rostrum was investigated with light, scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy to reveal new morphological data on its inner and outer anatomy. In total, the visualized somatic musculature displays five paired longitudinal muscles (musculi longitudinales I-V) and nine circular muscles (musculi circulares I-IX). Compared to other species, S. rostrum is characterized by the absence of several longitudinal and circular muscles (e.g. musculus longitudinalis capitis, corona sphincter and pars coronalis). A reconstruction of the mastax musculature revealed a total number of seven paired and two unpaired mastax muscles. Possibly homologous somatic and mastax muscles in other, thus far investigated rotifers are discussed. Moreover, we provide a phylogenetic evaluation of the revealed morphological characters and suggest possible autapomorphic characters supporting Squatinella and Lepadellidae. Finally, we refer to some striking similarities in the morphology, ecology and way of movement of Squatinella and Bryceella that may indicate a closer relationship of both taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onehundredthirtyeight taxa of plankton algae were identified in the Żur Reservoir (Cyanoprokaryota 27, Dinophyta 5, Euglenophyta 4, Chrysophyceae 6, Bacillariophyceae 40, Chlorophyta 56). The biomass of spring and summer plankton consisted mainly of diatoms. Based on the species composition, phytoplankton biomass, concentration of chlorophyll a and TSI, the Żur Reservoir was generally classified as moderately eutrophic with distinct trophic diversification of the water at particular studied sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here describe the new proalid rotifer species Bryceella perpusilla n. sp. on the basis of light and electron microscopy. The species, certainly representing one of the smallest rotifer and even metazoan species at all, was obtained in January 2008 from terrestrial mosses of North-west Germany. Bryceella perpusilla n. sp. is distinguished from other species of the genus by the very small size, the slender body outline, the short apical styli, the triangular rostrum, the outward curving, blunt and rod-shaped toes, the four-nucleated vitellogermarium, the slender manubria and the caudally directed alulae. With our observations, that can be used for future cladistic analyses of the Proalidae, we are able to define the generic diagnosis of Bryceella more precisely and to give an adapted species key. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In both political speech and news media discourse, the War on Terror has been persistently metaphorically figured as a hunt for prey. In concert with this figuration, a trope of the soldier as hunter has risen to cultural prominence. This paper examines official government discourses' use of the soldier-as-hunter paradigm, military language and training practice that reflects and augments this paradigm, and media language that uncritically echoes and furthers it. The discursive intersection of government, military, and media language is suggestively reflected in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq through soldier's self-representations, particularly through trophy-taking and display. These behaviours evidence the potency, coherence, and influence of the soldier-hunter trope in the ways soldiers construct and circulate images of both themselves as hunter and the enemy as prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wild buffaloes, gaur Bos gaurus and banteng Bos javanicus, are among the most threatened mammals in Vietnam but little information is available on their status and distribution. Over 2004-2007 I undertook surveys in three Vietnamese distribution strongholds of the Vulnerable gaur and Endangered banteng: Ea So Nature Reserve and Yok Don and Cat Tien National Parks. A total of 22 herds with 121 gaur and seven herds with 49 banteng were observed. Herd sizes of both species were generally lower than those recorded in Thailand and Malaysia. Most of the herds were observed in remote areas, showing that the species are probably staying away from areas with human activity. No banteng were found in Cat Tien National Park. Of the other wild buffalo species the Critically Endangered kouprey Bos sauveli and Endangered water buffalo Bubalus arnee were not observed in the three protected areas but the Near Threatened serow Capricornis milneedwardsii was occasionally observed in all three areas. Illegal hunting, habitat degradation and disturbance appear to be the most significant threats to gaur and banteng in the areas surveyed. It is essential to have effective law enforcement to eliminate human impacts on these two species, and an adequate conservation strategy to secure their long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. We describe the changes in trophic dynamics in Lake Maggiore from c. 1943 to 2002 using subfossil cladoceran data from a high resolution sediment record, long-term contemporary data series and historical information. During this period the lake went through a eutrophication phase until 1980 followed by oligotrophication. 2. During the eutrophication period a major increase occurred in the abundance of Chydorus sphaericus, the proportion of planktonic cladocerans and total abundance of cladocerans in the sediment. Since 1980 the abundance declined again and subfossil Eubosmina mucro length and contemporary Daphnia body length increased, most probably as a result of higher abundance of invertebrate predators. 3. Changes in the fish stock composition caused by the introduction of exotic fish during the pre-eutrophication period and a complete ban on fishing because of Dichloro-diphenil-ethanes (DDTs) pollution of the lake (during oligotrophication) could also be detected in the community assemblage and size structure of the sediment zooplankton. 4. We found good correspondence between trophic changes inferred from cladoceran subfossils (community composition, size and predation pressure) and contemporary data, suggesting that sediment samples can be used to infer past development in trophic dynamics, including predation by fish and pelagic invertebrates in lakes with scarce neolimnological data. 5. Furthermore, by combining palaeolimnological cladoceran data rarely obtained from contemporary samples (e.g. benthic and plant-associated cladocerans, mucro length of bosminids) with contemporary data of organisms poorly represented in the sediment record (e.g. remains of Bythotrephes and fishes) a more complete understanding of changes in trophic dynamics was obtained. 6. The detection in the sediments of meteorological events whose effects on zooplankton had been recorded in the long-term studies also provided evidence that eutrophication tends to override climate signals. 7. We conclude that a combined palaeo-neolimnological approach can be a powerful tool for elucidating past changes in the trophic dynamics of lakes and the interaction with climate induced changes, not least when high resolution sediment records are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lake Zeribar sediments covering the time period of the last 25,000 years were examined for the contents of seeds, fruits, Characeae, diatoms, and molluscs. Reconstructions of the variations in the lake water level, salinity, and trophy suggest a sequence of climatic changes. Three pronounced stages of low and varying lake-water level occurred ca. 17,700–15,400, 12,600–12,000, and 10,000–6000 cal yr BP. Some water-level changes were correlated with variations in salinity. The most pronounced increase of salinity occurred 17,700–15,700 and 12,600–12,000 cal yr BP, and less distinct ones occurred about 6400–5900 and 2500 cal yr BP. Diatom assemblages indicated a strong increase of lake trophy ca. 20,200 cal yr BP. Between 6000 and 5000 cal yr BP diatoms characteristic of eutrophy increased in core 63J, and at about 3200 cal yr BP a distinct increase in mesotrophic forms occurred in core 70B. The changes in the occurrence of various organisms indicate increased temperatures about 21,000 cal yr BP, between 15,400 and 12,600, about 12,000, and about 11,700 cal yr BP. The reduced occurrence or disappearance of some of them suggest temperature decreases about 17,700–15,400 and 12,600–12,000 cal yr BP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The macrophyte surveys undertaken as part of the EU-funded STAR project are a unique resource allowing aquatic plant communities to be studied at a Pan-European scale (211 stream sites with macrophytes in 14 countries). Using this dataset, we examined the influence of organic pollution in relation to other environmental correlates of river plant community variation across Europe. We examined the relationships between several existing macrophyte metrics and nutrient enrichment, and we also explored the possibility of developing a pan-European macrophyte-based assessment system. We showed that trophic (nutrient) status is an important driver of aquatic plant communities in European rivers. We found that while most existing macrophyte metrics are useful, none can be applied at a pan-European scale in their current form. Our attempt to redesign the Mean Trophic Rank (MTR) index by the addition of further species, and the re-scoring of existing species, resulted in a considerable improvement in the relationship between MTR scores and nutrient variables. We conclude that an enlarged core group of macrophyte species can form part of an improved pan-European macrophyte-based bioassessment system, although regional modifications may be required to adequately describe the nutrient status of certain stream types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Littoral diatom assemblages from different natural substrates (stones, mud, reeds) were used for estimating trophic status in seven perialpine lakes near Salzburg (Austria). Four trophic status indices were compared with the actual chemical data and the annual averages of total phosphorus concentrations. Diatom assemblages on different substrates indicated significantly different trophic status for the site. Indicators based on epiphytic diatoms from young reed stalks correlated strongly with the concentrations of total phosphorus, so that reeds were found to be the most suitable substrate for bioindication. Bioindication based on three of the four indices studied (Rott's T DIA, Schönfelder's T S , van Dam's T DW ) was positively correlated with actual phosphorus concentration at each site. While other indices indicated higher trophic status than expected according to annual averages of total phosphorus, Rott's T DIA was found to be the most applicable to perialpine lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxidermy is the art of dissecting and preserving animals as natural as possible, in order to exhibit them in natural science museums and in individual collections as trophies of the collectors or as decorating objects. In naturalization, minor surgical procedures for changing the mimics of the face are necessary in order to increase the value of the exhibits. The aim of the current work was to improve the technique of taxidermy in order to create valuable exhibits. Based on the bibliographic research and analysing the already existing pieces from different natural science museums and private collections, we noticed that technical improvements, especially of the facial region, were required in naturalizing the trophies coming from large mammals. The study was conducted on two deer heads. The naturalization was obtained by dissecting and removing the skin, excepting the ears, eye lids and oral cavity, where special procedures were required. The used method was systematic skinning. Tanning was made with eulan which insures a high flexibility and durability of the skin. The two prepared exhibits had an increased storage rate because there was no source of food for insects that could damage the material. With the improvement of naturalization technique of the exhibit, its storage life was also increasing. Application of new techniques of conservation and the use of new materials available in taxidermy, offers a long-term economic value to the exhibits in terms of structure and preservation of tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Use of U. pilifera as an indicator is compatible with the WFD guidelines. • Freshwater U. pilifera occurs in eutrophic ponds. • U. pilifera can be easily identified even by non-expert. • U. pilifera can be used as trophic indicator for pond systems. • U. pilifera should be included into pond monitoring protocols. Mass occurrence of green algae of the genus Ulva in the form of algal blooms (known as "green tides") is often associated with high concentrations of biogens in the water. Therefore, Ulva species are most often used in monitoring seawater trophy and far less frequently freshwater trophy. In Europe, the biomonitoring of river ecosystems is based on aquatic plants. According to the River Macrophyte Index (RMI), river populations of Ulva macroalgae (only tubular Enteromorpha -like Ulva) are considered good indicators for eutrophic waters. This paper analyses the legitimacy of using U. pilifera as a trophy indicator in the case of ponds. It has been noted that freshwater populations of U. pilifera are much more common in lakes, dammed reservoirs, or ponds than in rivers. In this study, analysed populations of U. pilifera originated from 14 ponds located in central Poland. Data analysis relied on the Carlson Trophic State Index (CTSI), which was compared with other known trophic indices. According to CTSI values, U. pilifera was most common in eutrophic ponds, where the mean concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, nitrates, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a reached 581, 241, 212, and 20 µg·L−1, respectively. The results indicate that U. pilifera can be considered a bioindicator for eutrophic waters (50–70 of CTSI). It would therefore be appropriate to introduce U. pilifera as part of biomonitoring conducted in small bodies of water. Major arguments in favour of practical application of U. pilifera are: (i) it is a large macroalga, the thalli of which can reach a length of > 1.0 m, (ii) it is an easy-to-identify species; even by non-experts (it is characterized by a distinctive tubular shape of the thallus), and (iii) it occurs in bulk in conditions of eutrophy, creating an easily observable bloom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common psychological core in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism is a sense of oneself being special and better than others. It has been shown that this need may be satisfied through relationships with attractive and successful partners. We propose that after dissolving romantic relationships, both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic individuals may want to keep inanimate objects associated with their ex-partners as symbols of their mating success (i.e., trophies). Consistent with this hypothesis, the results of two cross-sectional correlational studies (N = 330 and N = 414) showed that while grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are not related to the nostalgic value of keepsakes from past relationships, they predict the perception of these objects as trophies. The effect holds when controlled for gender and self-esteem. We further discuss the mechanism by which "trophy keepsakes" may bolster positive self-views in both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic individuals. • Narcissistic individuals perceive keepsakes from past relationships as trophies. • The effect holds when controlled for gender and self-esteem. • Keepsakes from past relationships may be used for self-enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]