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Purpose: Heparin-based regimens are recommended for anticoagulation in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 though a study reported similar mortality with apixaban in critically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our pilot study sought to determine the differences in all-cause mortality, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and bleeding events between apixaban and therapeutic heparin-based regimens in hospitalized non-critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of non-critically ill COVID-19 patients aged ≥ 18 years admitted to 3 campuses of Montefiore Medical Center during the first (March 2020 to May 2020) and second (January 2021 to February 2021) COVID-19 surges, who received within 48 hours of admission and continued for ≥72 hours a therapeutic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UFH), or any apixaban dose for VTE prophylaxis. Outcomes data analyzed included mortality, suspected or imaging-confirmed VTE, and bleeding using a defined criteria. Results: Overall, 162 patients met eligibility for analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups except liver and renal functions. Mortality occurred in 10 (13.3%) patients on apixaban and 23 (26.4%) patients on a heparin-based regimen ( P  = .059). Confirmed VTE events were not different between the groups (8% vs 13.8%, P  = .359), but higher incidence of bleeding occurred in heparin-based group (4% vs 52.9%, P  < .001). Conclusion: There were no differences in mortality or confirmed VTE between apixaban and heparin-based regimens except for more bleeding events with the heparins. This study highlights the utility of apixaban in COVID-19., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2022.)

Although coronavirus disease 2019 was first identified in December 2019, it rapidly spread and became a global pandemic. The number of patients infected with the novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) rose rapidly in New York State, placing great stress on healthcare systems. The traditional roles and practices of healthcare providers were dramatically redefined to meet the demand to care for the large number of ill patients. While literature reports on the experiences of many frontline staff, there is a scarcity of reports on the role of clinical pharmacists during this crisis. We report the role of critical care clinical pharmacists at a large academic medical center in New York City during this pandemic. Effective crisis management required clinical pharmacists to employ a wide array of skills and knowledge. Areas included clinical expertise, education, data analysis, health informatics infrastructure, and inventory management in times of surging medication use and manufacturer shortages. Clinical pharmacists fulfilled an essential service during the coronavirus pandemic by working to ensure the best possible outcomes for the patients they served on the frontline., Competing Interests: The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.)

Background: Accurate recording of problems and diagnoses in health records is key to safe and effective patient care, yet it is often done poorly. Electronic health record systems vary in their functionality and ease of use, and are not optimally designed for easy recording and sharing of clinical information. There is a lack of professional consensus and guidance on how problems and diagnoses should be recorded., Methods: The Professional Record Standards Body commissioned work led by the Royal College of Physicians Health Informatics Unit to carry out a literature review, draft guidance, carry out an online consultation and round table discussion, and produce a report including recommendations for systems. A patient workshop was held to explore patient preferences for mechanisms for sharing diagnosis information between primary and secondary care., Results: Consensus was reached among medical specialties on key elements of diagnosis recording, and draft guidance was produced ready for piloting in a variety of care settings. Patients were keen for better ways for diagnosis information to be shared., Discussion: Improving the recording of diagnoses and problems will require a major effort of which the new guidance is only a part. The guidance needs to be embedded in training, and clinical systems need to have improved, standardised functionality. Front-line clinicians, specialist societies, clinical informaticians and patients need to be engaged in developing information models for diagnoses to support care and research, accessible via user-friendly interfaces., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Data on the effectiveness of definitive oral (PO) antibiotics for BSIs in preparation for discharge from hospital are lacking, particularly for Gram-positive bacterial BSIs (GP-BSI). The objective of this study was to determine rates of treatment failure based on bioavailability of PO antimicrobial agents used for GP-BSI., Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of adult inpatients admitted to an academic medical center over a three-year period. Patients with a non-staphylococcal GP-BSI who received intravenous antibiotics and were then switched to PO antibiotics for at least a third of their treatment course were included. The cohort was stratified into high (⩾90%) and low (<90%) bioavailability groups. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients experiencing clinical failure in each group. Secondary endpoints included clinical failure stratified by antibiotic group, bactericidal versus bacteriostatic PO agents, and organism., Results: A total of 103 patients met criteria for inclusion, which failed to reach the a priori power calculation. Of the patients included, 26 received high bioavailability agents and 77 received low bioavailability agents. Infections originated largely from a pulmonary source (30%) and were caused primarily by streptococcal species (75%). Treatment failure rates were 19.2% in the high bioavailability group and 23.4% in the low bioavailability group ( p = 0.66). Clinical failure stratified by subgroups also did not yield statistically significant differences., Conclusions: Clinical failure rates were similar among patients definitively treated with high or low bioavailability agents for GP-BSI, though the study was underpowered to detect such a difference., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Background: Delirium or an acute confusional state (ACS) is characterised as being a frequent and complex hospital complication in older adult patients, which can affect their level of independence and increase patient morbidity and mortality. Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) frequently develop ICU delirium, leading to longer hospital and ICU stays, increased mortality and long-term impairment. Objectives: This review aims to assess existing evidence of interventions that can be considered effective for the management and prevention of delirium in ICUs, reducing short-term morbidity and mortality, ICU and hospital admission times and the occurrence of other long-term complications. Methodology: For this systematic review, we searched Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINHAL, LILACS, SciELO and Dialnet from January 2018 to August 2024, in English, Spanish and French. MeSH descriptors were adjusted to search the different databases. We also checked Prospero for ongoing systematic reviews. Main results: The electronic search yielded a total of 2656 studies, of which 14 trials met the eligibility criteria, with a total of 14,711 participants. We included eight randomised clinical trial (RCTs), four cohort analyses, one systematic review and one observational trial, including participants over 65 years admitted to the ICU. Ten of these studies were based on pharmacological interventions, three of them examined non-pharmacological interventions and the remaining study examined mixed (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) interventions. Six placebo RCTs were included, plus four reported comparisons between different drugs. Regarding non-pharmacological interventions, nursing programmes focused on optimising modifiable risk factors or the use of therapies such as bright light are emerging. Regarding mixed interventions, we found the combination of invasive techniques and with sedoanalgesia. Conclusions: Due to its satisfactory level of sedation, dexmedetomidine is presented as a viable option because, although olanzapine offers safer results, postoperative administration angiotensin inhibitor systems significantly reduced the incidence of delirium. As for propofol, no significant differences were found. Among the non-pharmacological and mixed therapies, bright light therapy was able to reduce the incidence of delirium, and the combination of epidural/general anaesthesia was effective in all subtypes of delirium. Concerning the remaining interventions, the scientific evidence is still insufficient to provide a definitive recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral recruitment was examined on terracotta tiles deployed for four six-month periods between March 2001 and April 2003 on the West Fore Reef at Discovery Bay, Jamaica. During each sampling period, four tiles were deployed on each of two arrays at six depths ranging from 3 m to 33 m. Only three Acropora spat recruited to the tiles over the sampling period. The Acropora spat recruited during only one of the four six-month sampling periods and at only one depth, 3m. That represents a density of 8 spat m(-2) at 3 m depth for one six-month sampling period. Acropora recruitment represented <1 % of the total spat recruiting to the tiles deployed at 3 m during the four sampling periods. Density of acroporids on the West Fore Reef is low. Only one Acropora colony (an A. palmata) was recorded during Point-Quarter surveys of coral cover and density at depths of 3 m, 9 m, 14 m and 19 m. Considering the paucity of acroporid colonies and the infrequent settlement of acroporid spat on the West Fore Reef, it is unlikely that the historic abundance of A. palmata and A. cervicornis will return soon.

Long-term, high accuracy seawater temperature data sets are essential in studies assessing environmental changes that may alter coral reef communities. Located at the approximately the same latitude, the subsurface seawater temperature (S3T) off Discovery Bay, Jamaica (DBJ) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) had the same overall mean temperature. The USVI S3T during the winter months is approximately 0.5 degrees C warmer than DBJ, while May - July at DBJ is approximately 1 degrees C warmer than USVI S3T. With the passing of tropical storms in 1995 and 1997 in the USVI S3T dropped as much as 1.5 degrees C within a 20 hr period and did not revert to the previous temperature during that calendar year. Mean monthly S3T during 2000 and 2001 in the USVI was > 0.5 degrees C warmer than during similar periods in the early 1990s. Mean monthly S3T during 1999-2002 at DBJ was 0.27 degrees C cooler than during 1994-1995.

Puerulus settlement of the western Atlantic spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, was monitored using modified Witham collectors from December 1996 to March 1998 at seven sites around St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. A total of 605 pueruli were collected from 553 samples for a catch per unit effort (CPUE) for all sites of 1.09 pueruli. The greatest settlement occurred on sites within a recently declared marine reserve, which had an overall CPUE of 1.77 pueruli. Settlement in non-reserve sites was much lower with an overall CPUE of 0.31 pueruli. Pueruli recruitment declined 67% at inshore sites and 53% at offshore sites between July 1992 - April 1994 and February 1997 - March 1998. Also, only 10% of months sampled in 1997-98 had a CPUE > 0.5 compared to 55% in a previous study in 1992 - 1993. Despite the decline in pueruli CPUE in 1997-98 compared to 1992-94, the commercial lobster catch in the 2000-01 fishing season, and by inference the adult lobster population (legal lobster size in the US Virgin Islands is > or = 3.5 cm carapace length), remained stable.

Coral reef ecosystems are facing severe degradation due to anthropogenic activities at both local and global scales. In response, extensive restoration efforts are underway, aiming to bolster coral cover and enhance reef fish communities to foster facilitation between fish and corals. This reciprocal relationship is anticipated to improve overall restoration efficacy and enhance coral reef resilience in the face of global warming. Here, we investigate the impact of coral restoration using out-planted Acropora cervicornis colonies attached to raised domes on the associated fish community on the isolated, well-protected reef of Little Cayman Island in the Central Caribbean. Surveys were conducted immediately preceding out-planting, five days later, and 85 days later to capture temporal changes in the fish community. After 85 days of out-planting, there were no changes in fish biomass, abundance, or species richness for the entire fish community. This pattern was consistent for selected fish functional groups. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the fish community before outplanting, five days after out-planting, or 85 days after out-planting of restoration domes. Our results underscore the limited impact of coral restoration for influencing fish communities in the isolated and highly protected reef of Little Cayman over an 85-day period. Consequently, our findings have implications for using coral restoration as a mechanism to enhance fish populations, particularly in marginally disturbed regions where structural complexity has not been lost. Future restoration programs should therefore incorporate local knowledge of environmental history and restoration needs along with an increased data-driven understanding of the intricate interaction between fish and coral populations to be successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the in vitro activity of ceftaroline and a panel of comparator agents against isolates of Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, β-hemolytic streptococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) from blood collected in Africa and Middle East (AfME), Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Latin America (LATAM), and North America from 2017 to 2020 as a part of the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) program.Methods: Susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentration were determined using broth microdilution for all antimicrobial agents by a central reference laboratory according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines.Results: Ceftaroline showed good activity (susceptibility ≥ 89.8%, MIC90 0.008– 2 mg/L) against all Gram-positive isolates tested. All isolates of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae, S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, and S. pyogenes were susceptible to ceftaroline (MIC90 0.008– 0.25 mg/L). Ceftaroline susceptibility for MRSA isolates was 89.8% globally (MIC90 2 mg/L). Among the comparator agents, all isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, except S. epidermis (susceptibility, 99.9%). Among other agents, daptomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline showed potent activity (susceptibility ≥ 97.9%, MIC90 0.03– 2 mg/L) against all isolates tested.Conclusion: Ceftaroline showed potent in vitro activity against global bloodstream isolates of Gram-positive bacteria collected between 2017 and 2020. Monitoring and surveillance of global as well as regional longitudinal trends of resistance rates among Gram-positive isolates causing bloodstream infections are important to limit the spread of AMR, establish stewardship measures, and manage and appropriately treat infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy / Journal Canadien de la Pharmacie Hospitalière is the property of Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Long Covid is a widely recognised consequence of COVID-19 infection, but little is known about the burden of symptoms that patients present with in primary care, as these are typically recorded only in free text clinical notes. Aims: To compare symptoms in patients with and without a history of COVID-19, and investigate symptoms associated with a Long Covid diagnosis. Methods: We used primary care electronic health record data until the end of December 2020 from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a Cegedim database. We included adults registered with participating practices in England, Scotland or Wales. We extracted information about 89 symptoms and 'Long Covid' diagnoses from free text using natural language processing. We calculated hazard ratios (adjusted for age, sex, baseline medical conditions and prior symptoms) for each symptom from 12 weeks after the COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: We compared 11,015 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 18,098 unexposed controls. Only 20% of symptom records were coded, with 80% in free text. A wide range of symptoms were associated with COVID-19 at least 12 weeks post-infection, with strongest associations for fatigue (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.87, 4.17), shortness of breath (aHR 2.89, 95% CI 2.48, 3.36), palpitations (aHR 2.59, 95% CI 1.86, 3.60), and phlegm (aHR 2.43, 95% CI 1.65, 3.59). However, a limited subset of symptoms were recorded within 7 days prior to a Long Covid diagnosis in more than 20% of cases: shortness of breath, chest pain, pain, fatigue, cough, and anxiety / depression. Conclusions: Numerous symptoms are reported to primary care at least 12 weeks after COVID-19 infection, but only a subset are commonly associated with a GP diagnosis of Long Covid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The recent SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The healthcare systems, including pharmacies, faced unique challenges, such as managing an overwhelming patient influx, clinical workforce management, transitioning to remote or online work, medication procurement and several others. The purpose of this study is to describe our hospital pharmacy's experience dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and to present solutions to the challenges that arose. Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed and consolidated strategies, interventions, and solutions that were implemented by our pharmaceutical institute in response to the challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study period was from March 1 to September 30, 2020. Results: We reviewed and organized our hospital pharmacy response to the COVID-19 pandemic into different categories. In inpatient and outpatient satisfaction surveys, physicians and patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with pharmacy services. The close collaboration between the pharmacy team and other clinicians was demonstrated through the number of pharmacist interventions, participation in the COVID-19 guidelines reviews, involvement in local and international research, and innovative solutions to inpatient and outpatient pharmacy medication management challenges. Conclusions: This study highlights the crucial role that our pharmacists and pharmaceutical institute played in ensuring continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We implemented several key initiatives, innovations, and collaborations with other clinical disciplines to successfully overcome the challenges faced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are compulsory clinical features for the clinical diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA), some of which precede motor symptoms onset. To date, few studies have systematically investigated NMS in MSA and the timing of presenting NMS as the disease progresses. Clinically, MSA is difficult to be differentiated from Parkinson's disease (PD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and the differences in NMS between MSA and PD/PSP remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the burden of NMS between MSA and PD/PSP and to delineate the timing of NMS presentation relative to the onset of motor symptoms in MSA. Methods: A total of 61, 87, and 30 patients with MSA, PD, and PSP, respectively, were enrolled in this study. NMS was systematically assessed in all patients using the NMS scale (NMSS), and the onset of NMS relative to the onset of motor symptoms in MSA was investigated. Results: MSA group had higher total NMSS scores (82.15 ± 46.10) than the PD (36.14 ± 30.78) and PSP (50.30 ± 55.05) groups (p < 0.001 overall). The number distribution pattern of the NMS was significantly different among the three parkinsonian disorders (p < 0.001 overall). In total, 85.2% of patients with MSA had more than 10 NMS, which was significantly higher than PD (28.7%) and PSP (33.3%). The frequency and scores of many NMSS subdomains and symptoms were higher in MSA than in PD and PSP (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with fainting, lack of motivation, swallowing, and loss of sexual interest could be attributed to MSA rather than PD or PSP, while patients with loss of concentration and forgetfulness were characteristic features of PD or PSP rather than MSA. REM-sleep behavior disorder (RBD), constipation, problems having sex, and loss of sexual interest preceded the motor symptoms onset of MSA by 2.81 ± 4.51, 1.54 ± 6.32, 1.35 ± 4.70, and 0.45 ± 3.61 years, respectively. Conclusion: The NMS spectrum in MSA differs from that of PD and PSP. Patients with MSA have a higher NMS burden than patients with PD or PSP. RBD, constipation, problems having sex, and loss of sexual interest may become early diagnostic clinical markers of MSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Court Mental Health Liaison and Diversion Services (CMHLDS) have developed in some countries as a response to the over-representation of mental illness and other vulnerabilities amongst defendants presenting to criminal justice (or correctional) systems. This study examined the characteristics and rates of mental disorder of 9088 defendants referred to CMHLDS. Method: The study analysed service level data, obtained from the National Health Service's mental health data set, to examine characteristics relating to gender, ethnicity and comorbidity of common mental and neurodevelopmental disorders at five CMHLDS across London between September 2015 and April 2017. Results: The sample included 7186 males (79.1%) and 1719 females (18.9%), the gender of 183 (2%) were not recorded. Of those referred, 6616 (72.8%) presented with an identifiable mental disorder and 503 (5.5%) with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD). Significantly higher rates of schizophrenia were reported amongst Black defendants (n = 681; 37.2%) and Asian defendants (n = 315; 29%), while higher rates of depression were found amongst White defendants (n = 1007; 22.1%). Substance misuse was reported amongst 2813 defendants (31%), and alcohol misuse amongst 2111 (23.2%), with significantly high rates of substance and alcohol misuse amongst defendants presenting with schizophrenia or personality disorder. Conclusions: This is one of the largest studies to examine mental health needs and vulnerabilities amongst defendants presenting to CMHLDS. It will enable an improved understanding of the required service designs and resources required to manage the healthcare pathways for people attending CMHLDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global decline of coral reefs has driven considerable interest in active coral restoration. Despite their importance and dominance on mature reefs, relatively few coral restoration projects use slower growth forms like massive and encrusting coral species. Micro-fragmentation can increase coral cover by orders of magnitude faster than natural growth, which now allows cultivation of slow growing massive forms and shows promise and flexibility for active reef restoration. However, the major causes of variation in growth and survival of outplanted colonies remain poorly understood. Here, we report simple outplanting assays to aid in active reef restoration of slower growing species and increase the likelihood of restoration success. We used two different micro-fragmentation assays. Pyramid assays were used to examine variation associated with fragment size (ranging from ≈1-9 cm2), nursery residence time (for both in-situ and ex-situ nurseries), and 2D vs. 3D measurements of growth. Block assays were used to examine spatial variation among individual performance at outplanting sites in the field. We found 2D and 3D measurements correlated well, so measured survivorship and growth using top-down planar images for two of the main Hawaiian reef building corals, the plating Montipora capitata and the massive Porites compressa. Pyramid assays housed and outplanted from the in-situ nursery showed no effect of residence time or size on overall survivorship or growth for either species. Results from the ex-situ nursery, however, varied by species, with P. compressa again showing no effect of nursery residence time or size on survivorship or growth. In contrast, nursery culture resulted in improved survivorship of small M. capitata fragments, but net growth showed a weak positive effect of nursery time for medium fragments. Small fragments still suffered higher mortality than either medium or large fragments. Due to their lower mortality, medium fragments (≈3 cm2) appear to be the best compromise between growth and survivorship for outplanting. Likewise, given weak positive gains relative to the investment, our results suggest that it could be more cost-effective to simply outplant medium fragments as soon as possible, without intermediate culture in a nursery. Furthermore, the block assay revealed significant differences in survivorship and growth among sites for individuals of both species, emphasizing the importance of considering spatial variation in coral survival and growth following outplanting. These results highlight the value of using short-term micro-fragmentation assays prior to outplanting to assess size, and location specific performance, optimizing the efficiency of active reef restoration activities and maximizing the probability of success for active coral restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The movement ecology of mutton snapper Lutjanus analis is poorly understood despite their ecological and economic importance in the Caribbean. Passive acoustic telemetry was used to determine home ranges of six adult L. analis, including diel patterns, in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Understanding long-term space use, including site fidelity and habitat usage, is necessary to implement effective and appropriate management actions for a species with extensive space and resource needs. Results: Individual L. analis were tracked over an average period of 316 days (range 125–509 days) and showed high site fidelity to relatively small home ranges (mean ± SD: 0.103 ± 0.028 km2, range 0.019–0.190 km2) and core use areas with low overlap among individuals. Most home ranges had a habitat composition dominated by seagrass and to a lesser degree, coral reef and/or pavement. Nighttime activity spaces were distinct from but contained within daytime areas. Conclusions: Mutton snapper showed strong site fidelity to home ranges in Brewers Bay. Two individuals that were absent from the array for more than a few hours were detected at separate arrays at spawning aggregation sites. This study expands upon knowledge of mutton snapper home range characteristics, highlights the importance of maintaining adjacent high-quality habitat types in any spatial management plan, and encourages the adoption of other types of management strategies, particularly for transient-aggregating species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross sectional study examines how patient characteristics, doctor characteristics, and doctors' education and attitudes affect the extent to which doctors link progress notes to clinical problems. The independent effects of patient characteristics on the linking of notes was examined with a mixed model logistic regression. The effects of doctor characteristics and doctors' education and attitudes on the link ratio was analyzed with univariate analysis of variance. A survey was used to obtain arguments and attitudes on linking notes. For "patient characteristics", the odds of linking increased with an increase in the number of problems or hospital days, decreased, with an increase in the number of involved doctors, medical specialties or the number of notes. For "doctor characteristics", the link ratio increased with more work experience. For "doctors' education and attitudes", the link ratio increased with more familiarity in linking notes and belief in the added value of problem oriented charting. "Overview" was the most cited reason for linking; "I don't know how" the most cited reason for not linking. There is a huge variation within and between all disciplines. Important arguments, for and against, are found. Recommendations for policymakers and medical leadership are given to maximize the benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of multi-species synchronous spawning of scleractinian corals on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s stimulated an extraordinary effort to document spawning times in other parts of the globe. Unfortunately, most of these data remain unpublished which limits our understanding of regional and global reproductive patterns. The Coral Spawning Database (CSD) collates much of these disparate data into a single place. The CSD includes 6178 observations (3085 of which were unpublished) of the time or day of spawning for over 300 scleractinian species in 61 genera from 101 sites in the Indo-Pacific. The goal of the CSD is to provide open access to coral spawning data to accelerate our understanding of coral reproductive biology and to provide a baseline against which to evaluate any future changes in reproductive phenology. Measurement(s) Point in Time Date and Time Data Type • Spawning Technology Type(s) Observation • digital curation Sample Characteristic - Organism Scleractinia Sample Characteristic - Environment ocean Sample Characteristic - Location Pacific Ocean • Indian Ocean region Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13100552 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A greater understanding of gendered roles in fisheries is necessary to value the often-hidden roles that women play in fisheries and households. We examine women's contributions to household food and income using focus group discussions, market surveys, and landings data in six communities in Timor-Leste. Women were actively fishing more days per month than men. Gleaning was the most frequent activity and 100% of trips returned with catch for food and/or income. Mollusc and crab catches were common and exploitation appeared targeted on a dynamic reappraisal of changing food values and changing estimates of group needs. With as many as 80% of households in coastal areas involved in fishing, and at least 50% of women fishing, this highlights the current lack of women's engagement as a critical gap in fisheries management approaches. The current androcentric dialogue limits social-ecological understanding of these systems and the potential for their effective stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial patterns of coral reef benthic communities vary across a range of broad-scale biogeographical levels to fine-scale local habitat conditions. This study described spatial patterns of coral reef benthic communities spanning across the 536-km coast of Kenya. Thirty-eight reef sites representing different geographical zones within an array of habitats and management levels were assessed by benthic cover, coral genera and coral colony size classes. Three geographical zones were identified along the latitudinal gradient based on their benthic community composition. Hard coral dominated the three zones with highest cover in the south and Porites being the most abundant genus. Almost all 15 benthic variables differed significantly between geographical zones. The interaction of habitat factors and management levels created a localised pattern within each zone. Four habitats were identified based on their similarity in benthic community composition; 1. Deep-Exposed Patch reef in Reserve areas (DEPR), 2. Deep-Exposed Fringing reefs in Unprotected areas (DEFU), 3. Shallow Fringing and Lagoon reefs in Protected and Reserve areas (SFLPR) and 4. Shallow Patch and Channel reefs (SPC). DEPR was found in the north zone only and its benthic community was predominantly crustose coralline algae. DEFU was found in central and south zones mainly dominated by soft corals, Acropora, Montipora, juvenile corals and small colonies of adult corals. SFLPR was dominated by macroalgae and turf algae and was found in north and central zones. SPC was found across all geographical zones with a benthic community dominated by hard corals of mostly large colonies of Porites and Echinopora. The north zone exhibits habitat types that support resistance properties, the south supports recovery processes and central zone acts as an ecological corridor between zones. Identifying habitats with different roles in reef resilience is useful information for marine spatial planning and supports the process of designing effective marine protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg size and fecundity are often used as proxies for coral reproductive success and health. The amount of energy a coral invests in reproduction reflects its environmental conditions during gametogenesis. Additionally, assuming resources for reproduction are limited, it is thought that an increase in egg size should result in a decrease in the number of eggs produced i.e. investing in many small eggs or fewer larger eggs. The biannually spawning populations of Scott Reef offer a unique opportunity to compare the egg size and polyp fecundity of corals exposed to different environmental conditions during gametogenesis, prior to spawning in autumn (March) and spring (October). In this study, we investigated the relationship between egg size and polyp fecundity within and between seven Acropora species from 2008 to 2010. We also quantified the fecundity and egg size of four Acropora species that spawn during both autumn and spring (2008–2010). We found no seasonal variability in egg size and fecundity in the species studied here, possibly as a result of a summer light regime being impacted by high cloud cover in cyclone season. There was high natural variability and no apparent trade-off between egg size and fecundity, both within and between each species. These findings challenge the assumption that egg size and fecundity are negatively correlated, or that a simple, energetically constrained trade-off exists between the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acropora cervicornis is a structurally and functionally important Caribbean coral species. Since the 1980s, it has suffered drastic population losses with no signs of recovery and has been classified as a critically endangered species. Its rapid growth rate makes it an excellent candidate for coral restoration programs. In 2011, the Fundación Dominicana de Estudios Marinos (Dominican Marine Studies Foundation, FUNDEMAR) began an A. cervicornis restoration program in Bayahibe, southeast Dominican Republic. In this study, we present the methodology and results of this program from its conception through 2017, a preliminary analysis of the strong 2016 and 2017 cyclonic seasons in the greater Caribbean, and a genetic characterization of the “main nursery”. The mean survival of the fragments over 12 months was 87.45 ± 4.85% and the mean productivity was 4.01 ± 1.88 cm year−1 for the eight nurseries. The mean survival of six outplanted sites over 12 months was 71.55 ± 10.4%, and the mean productivity was 3.03 ± 1.30 cm year−1. The most common cause of mortality during the first 12 months, in both nurseries and outplanted sites, was predation by the fireworm, Hermodice carunculata. We identified 32 multilocus genotypes from 145 total analyzed individuals. The results and techniques described here will aid in the development of current and future nursery and outplanted site restoration programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove forests are important habitats for fish. However, their utilisation by fish, and the specific values they confer, are still not fully understood. This study describes how fish use mangrove forests in an Indo-Pacific mangrove-coral reef seascape. Sampling was conducted using underwater video cameras (UVCs) to describe spatial and temporal variations in fish assemblages across a small-scale (~ 2.5 km2) system, and over the tidal and lunar cycle. UVCs were deployed in the two main component habitats of mangrove forests: at the mangrove forest edge, and inside the forest (5 m from the forest edge), to establish patterns of utilisation of fish across the tidal and lunar cycle. Proximity to coral reefs had a strong influence on the mangrove fish community, as most fish recorded were reef-associated. Juveniles of 12 reef species were observed, including two species classified as vulnerable on the IUCN list, and one endemic species. Fish assemblages on the mangrove edge differed significantly from those inside the forest. Most fish utilised the forest edge, with few species making regular use of in-forest habitats, supporting the contention that most fish species remain on the edge and potentially retreat into the forest for opportunistic feeding, or when threatened by larger predators. Species-specific patterns of utilisation varied across the tidal and lunar cycle. Small differences in depth profiles and substrate across the small-scale system had a significant effect on fish assemblages, highlighting the importance of accounting for spatial heterogeneity in these factors. These data provide important information for managers to implement adequate conservation strategies that include broader interconnected habitat mosaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Ichthyology is the property of Neotropical Ichthyology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Understanding natural variations in the life history traits of reef-building corals under different environmental conditions is an area of active research. This study compares variability in the reproductive and genetic traits of the hermaphroditic broadcast spawning coral Acropora hyacinthus, from the Western Pacific Region, across six different latitudes [Japan (33° and 31°N), Taiwan (23°, 22° and 21°N), and Indonesia (5°S)]. Egg sizes among corals in the lowest latitude studied were significantly larger than those at high latitudes, while the mean number of eggs were significantly different only among high latitude and two out of the three mid latitude locations studied. Egg numbers were significantly negatively correlated with egg and testis volumes, indicating reproductive trade-offs across locations. Female gonad volumes were smaller at high latitudes but significantly larger at lower latitudes, being positively correlated with seawater temperatures. Furthermore, high genetic similarities among populations suggest active gene flow among low-, mid- and high-latitude locations. An exception to this trend, the mid-latitude location of Penghu (off western Taiwan) formed an independent group with highly similar genetic and reproductive traits, suggesting reproductive isolation with local adaptations. This study reports natural spatial variations in the reproductive traits of A. hyacinthus at different latitudinal locations, which may serve as baseline information to predict how the life histories of corals in general respond to the impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although corallivory is recognized as a threat affecting the structure and integrity of coral reef habitats, ecological data on most species of coral consumers remain limited, slowing down the development of conservation and restoration strategies of the reef ecosystems. In this study, the population distribution and corallivorous behaviour of the cushion sea star Culcita sp. were investigated in the south region of Faafu Atoll, Maldives. Most sea stars were found on reef slopes within 0-10 m depth and in areas characterized by low live coral cover. Several coral genera were preyed on by the sea star. Although most of the consumed corals belong to the genus Acropora, a feeding preference for the genera Pocillopora and Pavona and a consistent avoidance of the genus Porites were observed. Furthermore, the majority of the prey corals were small colonies (< 10 cm diameter), even though Culcita sp. appeared to be capable of partially consuming larger colonies. Dietary preferences for specific coral colonies or genera have the potential to generate local shifts in coral community composition and structure and may affect reef recovery following natural and anthropogenic disturbance in an already impacted environment such as the Maldivian reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explored the natural resources available to the island municipality of Tingloy, Batangas. It looks at fisheries as the economic resource of an island and how this activity is linked in with the larger economic context of the mainland. Tingloy is a rural settlement the livelihood of which is dependent on fishing and its spatio-economic links with the mainland through fisheries. Fishing is the subsistence economy of Tingloy, with the surplus exported to the mainland. However, a fishery product flow analyses showed that the fishermen of Tingloy are marginalized by the disproportionate distribution of the income in favour of middlemen and fish dealers. Support facilities (such as ports, cold storage, processing units, trading posts, etc.) to further improve the local economy of the island is limited and must be upgraded. Also, transport facilities and other infrastructures to assure the integration of the local-regional economic function of the island municipality must be carefully crafted. Interventions to further improve the local economic condition of the island and its integration with that of the mainland are directed towards improved institutional arrangements, stricter implementation of existing local ordinances, and regional development planning that would take a holistic view and consider the vast resource base of the local government units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States Virgin Islands are comprised of two separate insular platforms separated by the deep water Anegada Passage. Although managed by the same regulations, as one fishery, several physical and spatial differences exist between the two northern shelf islands, St. Thomas and St. John, and isolated St. Croix. Based on two long-term fisheries independent datasets, collected by the U.S. Virgin Islands Territorial Coral Reef Monitoring Program and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, there were significant differences between the northern USVI and St. Croix in both the occurrence and size of several species of large and commercially important reef fishes. These fishes are primarily apex piscivores and generally the first species over-exploited in small-scale fisheries. The disparities between the fish communities on the two island shelves cannot be explained solely by differences in habitat (coral cover, rugosity) or fisheries management, such as relative amount of marine protected area in local waters. They are instead probably caused by a combination of several other interrelated factors including water depth, fishing methodology, fishable area, and the presence or absence of viable fish spawning areas. This study considers those aspects, and illustrates the need for management of island artisanal fisheries that is tailored to the physical and spatial constraints imposed by insular platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs, between 30 and 150 m depth) are hypothesized to contribute to the recovery of degraded shallow reefs through sexually produced larvae (referred to as Deep Reef Refuge Hypothesis). In Okinawa, Japan, the brooder coral Seriatopora hystrix was reported to be locally extinct in a shallow reef while it was found abundant at a MCE nearby. In this context, S. hystrix represents a key model to test the Deep Reef Refuge Hypothesis and to understand the potential contribution of mesophotic corals to shallow coral reef recovery. However, the reproductive biology of mesophotic S. hystrix and its potential to recolonize shallow reefs is currently unknown. This study reports for the first time, different temporal scales of reproductive periodicity and larval settlement of S. hystrix from an upper mesophotic reef (40 m depth) in Okinawa. We examined reproductive seasonality, lunar, and circadian periodicity (based on polyp dissection, histology, and ex situ planula release observations) and larval settlement rates in the laboratory. Mesophotic S. hystrix reproduced mainly in July and early August, with a small number of planulae being released at the end of May, June and August. Compared to shallow colonies in the same region, mesophotic S. hystrix has a 4-month shorter reproductive season, similar circadian periodicity, and smaller planula size. In addition, most of the planulae settled rapidly, limiting larval dispersal potential. The shorter reproductive season and smaller planula size may result from limited energy available for reproduction at deeper depths, while the similar circadian periodicity suggests that this reproductive aspect is not affected by environmental conditions differing with depth. Overall, contribution of mesophotic S. hystrix to shallow reef rapid recovery appears limited, although they may recruit to shallow reefs through a multistep process over a few generations or through random extreme mixing such as typhoons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophotic coral ecosystems between 30–150 m may be important refugia habitat for coral reefs and associated benthic communities from climate change and coastal development. However, reduced light at mesophotic depths may present an energetic challenge to the successful reproduction of light-dependent coral organisms, and limit this refugia potential. Here, the relationship of depth and fecundity was investigated in a brooding depth-generalist scleractinian coral, Porites astreoides from 5–37 m in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) using paraffin tissue histology. Despite a trend of increasing planulae production with depth, no significant differences were found in mean peak planulae density between shallow, mid-depth and mesophotic sites. Differential planulae production over depth is thus controlled by P. astreoides coral cover, which peaks at 10 m and ~35 m in the USVI. These results suggest that mesophotic ecosystems are reproductive refuge for P. astreoides in the USVI, and may behave as refugia for P. astreoides metapopulations providing that vertical larval exchanges are viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live coral is harvested throughout the Indo-West Pacific to make lime, used in the consumption of the world’s fourth-most consumed drug, betel nut. Coral harvesting is an environmental concern; however, because lime-making is one of the few sources of income in some areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the practice is unlikely to stop. To better manage coral harvest, we used standard fishery-yield methods to generate sustainable-harvest guidelines for corymbose Acropora species found on the reef flat and crest at Lababia, PNG. We constructed a yield curve (weight-specific net annual-dry-weight production) by: 1) describing the allometric relationship between colony size and dry weight, and using that relationship to estimate the dry weight of Acropora colonies in situ; 2) estimating annual growth of Acropora colonies by estimating in situ, and describing the relationship between, colony dry weight at the beginning and end of one year; and 3) conducting belt-transect surveys to describe weight-frequencies and ultimately to predict annual weight change per square meter for each weight class. Reef habitat covers a total 2,467,550 m2 at Lababia and produces an estimated 248,397 kg/y (dry weight) of corymbose Acropora, of which 203,897 kg is produced on the reef flat/crest. We conservatively estimate that 30,706.6 kg of whole, dry, corymbose, Acropora can be sustainably harvested from the reef flat/crest habitat each year provided each culled colony weighs at least 1805 g when dry (or is at least 46 cm along its major axis). Artisanal lime-makers convert 24.8% of whole-colony weight into marketable lime, thus we estimate 7615.2 g of lime can be sustainably produced annually from corymbose Acropora. This value incorporates several safety margins, and should lead to proper management of live coral harvest. Importantly, the guideline recognizes village rights to exploit its marine resources, is consistent with village needs for income, and balances an equally strong village desire to conserve its marine resources for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroalgae and filamentous turf algae (FTA) are abundant on degraded coral reefs, and the reproductive responses of corals may indicate sub-lethal stress under these conditions. The percentage of gametogenic stages (PGS) and the maximum diameter of eggs (MDE; or egg size) of Orbicella annularis were used to evaluate the effect of long- (7–10 months) and short-term (2.5 months) FTA removal (treatments T1 and T2, respectively) at both the beginning (May) and the end (August) of gametogenesis. Ramets (individual lobes of a colony) surrounded by FTA (T3) or crustose coralline algae (CCA; T4) were used as controls. The removal of FTA enhanced the development of gametes (i.e., a larger and higher percentage of mature gametes (PMG)) of O. annularis for T1 vs. T3 ramets in May and T1 and T2 vs. T3 ramets in August. Similar values of PGS and MDE between gametes from T3 and T4 in both May and August were unexpected because a previous study had shown that the same ramets of T4 (with higher tissue thickness, chlorophyll a cm-2 and zooxanthellae density and lower mitotic index values) were less stressed than ramets of T3. Evaluating coral stress through reproduction can reveal more sensitive responses than other biological parameters; within reproductive metrics, PGS can be a better stress indicator than egg size. The presence of turf algae strongly impacted the development of gametes and egg size (e.g., PMG in ramets with FTA removal increased almost twofold in comparison with ramets surrounded by FTA in August), most likely exerting negative chronic effects in the long run due to the ubiquity and permanence of turf algae in the Caribbean. These algae can be considered a stressor that affects coral sexual reproduction. Although the effects of turf algae on O. annularis are apparently less severe than those of other stressors, the future of this species is uncertain because of the combined impacts of these effects, the decline of O. annularis populations and the almost complete lack of recruitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the recruitment of subtropical coral at Yenliao Bay in northern Taiwan from May 2006 to September 2009. It mentions the deployment of two groups of ceramic plates at three reefs, and the taxonomic compositions of coral recruits were examined. Results showed that coral recruits taxonomic compositions were dominated by Pocilloporidae and the high recruitment rates were comparable with those of tropical reefs.

Even in the absence of major disturbances (e.g., cyclones, bleaching), corals are subject to high levels of partial or whole-colony mortality, often caused by chronic and small-scale disturbances. Depending on levels of background mortality, these chronic disturbances may undermine individual fitness and have significant consequences on the ability of colonies to withstand subsequent acute disturbances or environmental change. This study quantified intraspecific variations in physiological condition (measured based on total lipid content and zooxanthellae density) through time in adult colonies of two common and widespread coral species (Acropora spathulata and Pocillopora damicornis), subject to different levels of biological and physical disturbances along the most disturbed reef habitat, the crest. Marked intraspecific variation in the physiological condition of A. spathulata was clearly linked to differences in local disturbance regimes and habitat. Specifically, zooxanthellae density decreased (r2 = 26, df = 5,42, p<0.02, B =  −121255, p = 0.03) and total lipid content increased (r2 = 14, df = 5,42, p = 0.01, B = 0.9, p = 0.01) with increasing distance from exposed crests. Moreover, zooxanthellae density was strongly and negatively correlated with the individual level of partial mortality (r2 = 26, df = 5,42, p<0.02, B =  −7386077, p = 0.01). Conversely, P. damicornis exhibited very limited intraspecific variation in physiological condition, despite marked differences in levels of partial mortality. This is the first study to relate intraspecific variation in the condition of corals to localized differences in chronic disturbance regimes. The next step is to ascertain whether these differences have further ramifications for susceptibility to periodic acute disturbances, such as climate-induced coral bleaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine conservation efforts are often focused on increasing stocks of species with low population abundances by reducing mortality or enhancing recruitment. However, global changes in climate and ocean chemistry are density-independent factors that can strongly affect corals whether they are scarce or abundant—sometimes, the abundant corals are most affected. Because reproductive corals are sessile, density-independent effects of global changes such as physiological stress and resultant mortality can decouple stock abundance from recruitment and may accelerate the downward spiral of their reproductive rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brooding corals often exhibit daily planulation peaks in certain phases of lunar months during their reproductive season. The mechanism controlling this diurnal phenomenon, however, remains uncertain. Seriatopora hystrix populations of Southern Taiwan exhibit a highly synchronized planulation rhythm characterized by pre-dawn peak release episodes over a period of 4–6 days per month throughout the year. In this study, controlled light-dark cycles and temperatures were used to study the mechanism of the diel planulation rhythm in the laboratory. Seriatopora hystrix did not release planulae under continuous light or continuous darkness. Thus, the lack of free-run did not support a regulatory mechanism involving an endogenous oscillator. Under some lighting conditions, planula release occurred in two peaks per day. Both peaks always occur under dark phases of various light-dark cycles in the laboratory. The first peak occurred when the dark period just started, which might be stimulated by an abrupt transition between light and darkness. The second, pre-dawn peak consistently occurred 23 hrs after application of light. We concluded that this peak of planula release of S. hystrix was cued by sunrise of the previous day. Temperature treatments at 1°C intervals from 23.5–28.5°C did not change the diel time of planula release. We suggest that the temperature compensation exhibited in the hourglass model of this species may have a common origin as that of the oscillator model of circadian clocks, due to the similar duration (23 h) and period (∼24 h) between the two. The timing mechanism of planulation discovered here represents an intermediate stage between the hourglass and the oscillator models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair tourniquet syndrome presents as a surgical emergency. Early recognition and urgent intervention are needed for salvaging the involved digit. We present a case of an infant with this syndrome and discuss the important points in its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease epidemics have caused extensive damage to tropical coral reefs and to the reef-building corals themselves, yet nothing is known about the abilities of the coral host to resist disease infection. Understanding the potential for natural disease resistance in corals is critically important, especially in the Caribbean where the two ecologically dominant shallow water corals, Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata, have suffered an unprecedented mass die-off due to White Band Disease (WBD), and are now listed as threatened under the US Threatened Species Act and as critically endangered under the IUCN Red List criteria. Here we examine the potential for natural resistance to WBD in the staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis by combining microsatellite genotype information with in situ transmission assays and field monitoring of WBD on tagged genotypes. We show that six percent of staghorn coral genotypes (3 out of 49) are resistant to WBD. This natural resistance to WBD in staghorn corals represents the first evidence of host disease resistance in scleractinian corals and demonstrates that staghorn corals have an innate ability to resist WBD infection. These resistant staghorn coral genotypes may explain why pockets of Acropora have been able to survive the WBD epidemic. Understanding disease resistance in these corals may be the critical link to restoring populations of these once dominant corals throughout their range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify faunal overlap between a seagrass bed and adjacent coral and sand areas, and the number of reef fishes utilizing the seagrass bed as juvenile habitat, visual censuses were conducted at Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan. The numbers of species and individuals of fishes were significantly higher in the coral area than in the seagrass bed and sand area. Cluster and ordination analyses based on the number of individuals of each species demonstrated that the fish assemblage structure differed among the three habitats in each season, but with some overlaps. Approximately half the seagrass bed fishes occurred in the adjacent coral area (coral–seagrass species). Dominant species of coral–seagrass species utilized the seagrass bed as an important juvenile habitat. Thus, some overlaps in habitat use were present between the seagrass bed and adjacent coral area. Despite such overlaps, however, coral–seagrass species accounted for only approximately 15% of coral reef fishes overall, indicating that most of the latter hardly utilize the seagrass bed directly in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between September 1996 and March 1999, a total of 135 fish species in 43 families were recorded from the mangrove estuary of Sikao Creek, Trang Province, Thailand, using two sizes of beach seine and a bag net. A checklist of the species is given, with preliminary descriptions of their assemblage structure. In terms of the number of species per family, Gobiidae was the most diverse (28 species), followed by Leiognathidae (11 species) and Engraulidae (10 species). In terms of individual numbers, Engraulidae, Leiognathidae and Ambassidae were the most dominant, whereby the 20 most abundant species comprised 88.5% of the total number of individuals collected. The fish assemblage structure was compared with published accounts of other tropical Indo-West Pacific mangrove estuaries, and found to be similar to those of tropical Australia. Although a grater number of species were recorded from Sikao Creek than in comparable studies in other geographic regions, all of the studies were similar in that they have relatively few species that are clearly dominant in abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduced species frequently undergo rapid evolutionary change in ecologically important traits that may strongly influence their performance in their introduced range. But for many introduced species, and particularly those in marine systems, the spatial and temporal dimensions of this evolutionary change are largely unknown. In this study, I conducted a common garden transplant experiment using replicate clones of an introduced tunicate, Botrylloides sp., collected from three sites in the southern Gulf of Maine to test for differential growth and survival in response to local thermal regimes. This species has a restricted larval development period, which may permit significant population differentiation over relatively small spatial scales. I found dramatic among-site differences in survival rates: tunicates collected from both the transplant site and from a distant northern site had high survival, while those collected from a southern site experienced 100% mortality. The most likely cause of this differential mortality was an anomalous upwelling event that produced some of the coldest mid-summer temperatures in the last 10 years based on NOAA weather buoy data. I also found significant differences in growth rates among sites as well as among clones within a site in comparison with growth-rate differences within clones. An estimate of broad-sense heritability based on these data was consistent with a genetic basis for among-site differences in growth rates, which were strongly predictive of subsequent mortality. I conclude that this species has undergone significant evolutionary change that has resulted in population differentiation with respect to temperature tolerances among sites separated by <60 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Türk Pediatri Arşivi is the property of Aves Yayincilik Ltd. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Reef restoration efforts, utilising sexual coral propagation need up-scaling to have ecologically meaningful impact. Post-settlement survival bottlenecks, in part due to competitive benthic algae interactions should be addressed, to improve productivity for these initiatives. Sea urchins are keystone grazers in reef ecosystems, yet feeding behaviour of adults causes physical damage and mortality to developing coral spat. To investigate if microherbivory can be utilised for co-culture, we quantitatively assessed how varying densities of juvenile sea urchins Mespilia globulus (Linnaeus, 1758), reared alongside the coral Acropora millepora (Ehrenberg, 1834) effected survival and growth of coral recruits. Spawning of both species were induced ex situ. A comparison of A. millepora spat reared in three M. globulus densities (low 16.67 m−2, medium 37.50 m−2, high 75.00 m−2) and a non-grazed control indicated coral survival is significantly influenced by grazing activity (p < 0.001) and was highest in the highest density treatment (39.65 ± 10.88%, mean ± s.d). Urchin grazing also significantly (p < 0.001) influenced coral size (compared to non-grazing control), with colonies in the medium and high-densities growing the largest (21.13 ± 1.02 mm & 20.80 ± 0.82, mean ± s.e.m). Increased urchin density did however have a negative influence on urchin growth, a result of limited food availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]