Search

Assessing carnivores and prey temporal activity patterns as well as their overlap provides valuable insights into behavioural mitigations of competition. Moon phases may also play an important role in shaping wild mammals’ activity rhythms with prey showing peaks of activity in darkest nights. Camera trapping has enriched the possibility to conduct systematic studies of activity patterns and temporal niche overlap on mammalian guilds. In this study, we used camera traps to investigate intra-guild interactions and temporal partitioning among three meso-carnivores and their common prey in two Mongolian areas characterized, respectively, by a grassland and a forest–alpine meadow. We detected a moderate–high interspecific overlap in red foxes, pikas and tolai hares. We found a moderate overlap of temporal activity patterns among nocturnal carnivores as well as among nocturnal prey species. Interestingly, we observed a moderate overlap between hares and meso-carnivores. Amongst nocturnal species, the red fox and the stoat had a peak in activity in the brightest nights, the stone marten and the Mongolian silver vole preferred to range in dark nights, whereas activity of the tolai hare was not dependent on moon phases. Our work provides some first insights of temporal pattern interactions within a small- and meso-mammal assemblage in Central Asia. Our results indicate that meso-carnivores and their potential prey can co-occur in Central Mongolia by means of temporal partitioning.

Lunar phases remarkably influence the circadian cycle of living beings. Early amphibian studies date back to the 1960s, but only recently has more research been conducted in this field. Much still needs to be understood to establish the behavioral pattern of this group according to the synodic cycle. In the present study, we sought to determine (i) whether the vocalization activity was influenced by the lunar phases and (ii) whether the influence was species-specific or affects the community with equal intensity. We expected a great diversity of behaviors and adaptations. Rayleigh's test was used to verify whether the sample differs significantly from the null hypothesis; Rao's test was used to check sample size sufficiency; and the Kiviat diagram was used to evaluate the activity of the species in relation to the complete synodic cycle. We have observed 1691 individuals of 37 species over 882 d. The lunar cycle influenced 78 % of the species, with 32 % preferring the lower-albedo phases. The activity pattern of each species was established. These results suggest that the lunar phases influence the vocalization activity of most species. Therefore, there is a general pattern of activity related to the synodic cycles; however, the specificities still need to be better understood.

Every year, billions of birds undertake extensive migrations between breeding and nonbreeding areas, facing challenges that require behavioural adjustments, particularly to flight timing and duration. Such adjustments in daily activity patterns and the influence of extrinsic factors (e.g., environmental conditions, moonlight) have received much more research attention in terrestrial than marine migrants. Taking advantage of the widespread deployment in recent decades of combined light-level geolocator-immersion loggers, we investigated diel organisation and influence of the moon on flight activities during the non-breeding season of 21 migrant seabird species from a wide taxonomic range (6 families, 3 orders). Migrant seabirds regularly stopped (to either feed or rest) migration, unlike some terrestrial and wetland birds which fly non-stop. We found an overall increase for most seabird species in time in flight and, for several species, also in flight bout duration, during migration compared to when resident at the non-breeding grounds. Additionally, several nocturnal species spent more of the day in flight during migration than at non-breeding areas, and vice versa for diurnal species. Nocturnal time in flight tended to increase during full moon, both during migration and at the nonbreeding grounds, depending on species. Our study provides an extensive overview of activity patterns of migrant seabirds, paving the way for further research on the underlying mechanisms and drivers. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

There is a proven influence of the moon on some agricultural tasks, but at level of the animals such influence has beenlittle analyzed. The objective of this research was the analyze of influence moon about some reproductive process inbovines. The results of the present investigation were obtained by X2 from a data set of 830 registrations of natural heatand 305 data of births, collected of some herds located in the Southern Region of Ecuador-South America. The studyshowed that the natural heat and the births in bovines follow a cyclical process, having a higher incidence of these processesin the phases of first quarter and full moon, while in the waning phase, the incidence is lower. Also is noted thatthe mating cows in any phase, tend to calve in the two following phases and the probability of parturition in the samephase that occurred the mating is lower. As for the synchronization of heat, the better results in the conception rate at thefirst service were obtained when the female bovine were synchronizing in the dark moon and first quarter phases. Inconclusion have influence of the moon phases in the reproductive process analyzed, so is important it’s considered fortake better results.

Moon phases influence the molting process of shrimp, which affect other physiological processes as immune response. This study analyzed some parameters of immune response: total hemocytes counts (THC), hemolymph clotting time and superoxide anion (O2−) production, total protein concentration, superoxide dismutase activity, and the presence of Vibrio spp. in Litopenaeus vannamei at different moon phases. The highest percentage of organisms in intermolt stage was observed in the first quarter moon phase (95%). The highest THC was observed at new moon phase, which was significantly different (p 0.05) between different moon phases. The higher (p

Yermishev O. V. The impact of the moon phase on the balance of the autonomous nervous system and the functional health of men of different age groups. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2020;10(1):176-187. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2020.10.01.020 https://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2020.10.01.020 http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3728181 The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. § 8. 2) and § 12. 1. 2) 22.02.2019. © The Authors 2020; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 20.12.2019. Revised: 25.12.2019. Accepted: 31.01.2020. THE IMPACT OF THE MOON PHASE ON THE BALANCE OF THE AUTONOMOUS NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE FUNCTIONAL HEALTH OF MEN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS O. V. Yermishev Vasyl' Stus Donetsk National University, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biophysics and Physiology 600-richya St.21, 21021, Vinnytsia, Ukraine Tel: +380676504433. e-mail: o.yermishev@donnu.edu.ua ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5854-9678 Abstract Introduction. The autonomic nervous system is the main regulatory mechanism of a living organism that provides homeostasis. Objective: to investigate the effect of the Moon phases on the autonomic balance of the human body, the ratio of sympathetic nervous system activity to the parasympathetic nervous system and the functional health of the population. Materials and methods. 1592 males of different age were examined with the help of functional vegetative diagnostics according to the method of V. Makats. The bioelectric activity of 12 symmetric pairs of functionally active zones of the skin (24 FAZ), 12 on the hands and 12 on the feet, which reflect the functional activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems were studied. Results. In the male group aged 3-6 years old, the chaotic pattern of functional dependencies is related to the physiological and functional immaturity of the adaptation processes and the speed of their formation and stabilization in the body of children. In the male group of 12-15 years old in different phases of the Moon the changes in activity indicators of functional systems with much smaller amplitude are observed, though the nature and direction of changes in activity remain similar, which indicates the stabilization of adaptation mechanisms in the body. In the male group aged 21-50 years old maximum amplitude fluctuations in the functional activity of the systems and vegetative homeostasis are observed in the new Moon and the full one, which indicates a decrease in adaptation processes associated with age-related decrease in physiological and biochemical processes in the body and the appearance of the organism in the body. Conclusions. It has been established that the change of the Moon phases leads to significant changes in the functional activity and homeostasis of the body of men of different age groups. On-phase Moon activity indicators of functional systems duplicating the norm line have the same orientation, differing in amplitude, forming age-specific features of the tone of the autonomic nervous system. Key words: Moon; Moon phases; autonomic nervous system balance; health

Studies on activity rhythms are pivotal for the management of invasive alien species, as they provide basic insights into species basic ecology and may increase the success of control programs. The coypu Myocastor coypus, introduced from South America for fur farms, has become one of the most invasive rodents in Europe. Introduced coypus may affect crop productions, as well as natural vegetation and the breeding success of wading birds. In this study, we examined activity data collected through intensive camera-trapping in three Italian areas, including two natural areas in Northern and Central Italy, and a suburban area in Central Italy. Coypus were mostly diurnal in areas characterised by low predator pressure and, at night, they are mostly active in bright moonlight. Conversely, where predators, human pressure or numerical control programmes are present, coypus remarkably shift their behaviour towards crepuscular and night hours. In these last areas, nocturnal activity increased as moonlight decreased, possibly to reduce predation risk or encounters with humans. Where winter temperature are low, diurnal habits may have developed as a physiological adaptation and a strategy to preserve energy, potentially achieving a cost/effective thermal balance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s42991-020-00052-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

While the influence of environmental variables, particularly temperature and rainfall, on the breeding behavior of amphibians is widely recognized, relatively few studies have addressed how the moon affects amphibian behavior. Yet, the lunar cycle provides several rhythmic temporal cues that animals could use to time important group events such as spawning, and the substantial changes in light levels associated with the different moon phases may also affect the behavior of nocturnal frogs. Using seven years of field observation data, we tested for lunar effects on the reproductive activity of male and female Eastern Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor). We found that chorusing and breeding activity was statistically more likely to occur around the first quarter of the moon and during intermediately bright nights, but that reproductive activity also occurred during various other times during the lunar cycle. We discuss these findings in relation to the two main hypotheses of lunar effects on animals: predator avoidance and temporal synchronization of breeding.

Preliminary research conducted in Warsaw in the 1970s and 2000s showed that roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) stayed in forest habitat and avoided anthropogenic areas. Activity and exploration patterns of animals are shaped by indices of anthropogenic disturbances, elevated in large cities. The aims of the study were (1) to compare the presence of roe deer in natural and anthropogenic habitats of Warsaw during three periods: 1976–1978, 2005–2008 and 2017–2021, based on snow tracking on transect routes (681.2 km in total), and (2) to describe the presence and activity of roe deer in relation to human disturbances in selected urban forests in its reproductive period (March–August), based on camera trap survey (2019–2020, 859 observations, 5317 trap-days in total). The number of tracks was higher in natural habitat during all three periods, with the highest value in 2017–2021 (9.85/km/24h). The peak of roe deer activity was recorded at dusk, and it changed with moon phases between spring and summer. Landscape connectivity and level of light pollution did not affect the activity pattern of roe deer. Our research showed that roe deer inhabiting urban areas avoided human presence by using well-covered habitats and being active in periods when the level of human disturbance was lower.

Animals can adapt their activity patterns throughout the circadian cycle. Prey may use moonlight as a predation risk cue and allocate their activity to lower risk periods. Here, we assessed moon transit influence on the activity allocation of nocturnal mammalian prey, in the presence of a predator (pumas, Puma concolor), during different moon phases, through camera trapping in Central Amazon. Thirty camera traps were installed 2 km apart from each other in each of our three study sites. Prey record distributions were assessed across the moon cycle, and their daily activity patterns were described in each moon phase. The record distributions of pacas (Cuniculus paca) (N = 262) and armadillos (Dasypus sp.) (N = 244) were concentrated in darker nights, contrasting with red brocket deer (Mazama americana) (N = 123) and pumas (N = 31), whose records were evenly distributed through the moon cycle. Yet, every prey was found to avoid the brighter times of the night regardless of the moon phase. These findings suggest prey can shift the temporal distribution of their activities under different moon phases when predators are present, perhaps in response to predation risk variations.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Animals making foraging decisions must balance the energy gained, the time invested, and the influence of key environmental factors. In our work, we examined the effect of predation risk cues and experience on feeding efforts when a novel food resource was made available. To achieve this, we live-trapped wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus in Monte de Valdelatas (Madrid), where 80 Sherman traps were set in four plots. Traps were subjected to two food-access difficulties in treatments consisting of three consecutive nights: open plastic bottles (easy) and closed bottles (difficult), both using corn as bait. To simulate predation risk, we set fox faeces in half of the traps in each plot. We also considered moonlight (medium/low) as an indirect predation risk cue. We analysed whether bottles had been bitten by mice and the gnawed area of each bottle was measured. Our results indicated that food access difficulty, experience, and predation risk determined mice feeding decisions and efforts. The ability of mice to adapt feeding effort when a new food source is available was demonstrated because a higher proportion of closed bottles exhibited bite marks and the gnawed area was bigger. Moreover, mouse experience was determinant in the use of this new resource since recaptured mice gnawed broader orifices in the bottles and the gnawed area increased each time an individual was recaptured. Additionally, direct predation risk cues prompted mice to bite the bottles whereas the effect of different moon phases varied among the food access treatments. This study provides direct evidence of formidable efficacy of wild mice to exploit a new nutrient resource while considering crucial environmental factors that shape the decision-making procedure

Foraging decisions must balance the energy gained, the time investment and the influence of key environmental factors. In our work, we aimed to examine the importance of predation risk cues and experience in the feeding efforts and decision-making process when a novel food resource is presented. To achieve this, free ranging wood miceApodemus sylvaticuswere live-trapped in “Monte de Valdelatas” (Madrid) by setting 80 Sherman traps in 4 plots. Traps were subjected to two food access difficulties three-night consecutive treatments: open plastic bottles and closed bottles, both using corn as bait. To generate predation risk, we set fox faeces in half of the traps in each plot. Also, we considered indirect predator cues as the moon phase. We analyse whether mice had bitten the bottles and the area gnawed of each bottle was measured. We discovered that mice feeding decisions and efforts were driven by food access difficulty, experience and predation risk. The ability of mice to properly balance their energy budget was probed since they bit and performed bigger orifices in the closed bottles, hence, individuals can adapt the feeding effort when a new food source is available. Moreover, experience was determinant in the use of this new resource since recaptured mice gnawed the bottles more successfully and the skill was improved each time an individual was recaptured. Additionally, direct predation risk cues prompt mice to bite the bottles whereas the effect of different moon phases varied among the treatments. This is the first study that provides direct evidence of wild mice formidable efficacy to exploit a new nutrient resource while deepening in crucial environmental factors that shape decision-making procedure.

This study addresses the question whether to what extent (if any) light-trap catch of the harmful pest, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1805) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) depends on the Moon phases and the geomagnetic horizontal component (H-index). Therefore, daily relative catch data were assigned to the daily values of geomagnetic field above 0.2125−10 T (H-index). We correlated the daily catch results to the daily values of geometric H-index. The numbers of specimens caught and classified according to generation were calculated relative to catch values. Relative catch data were divided according to the Moon phase angle around the four Moon quarters. The relative daily catch data were assigned to the daily values of geomagnetic H-index. We correlated the daily catch results to the daily values of geometric H-index in four moon phases. More abundant catch corresponded to higher H-index values in the New Moon period. Approaching Full Moon led to increasing catch correlating to low H-index value, but there decreasing catch coincided with higher H-index values. There was also decreasing catch at the increasing H-index values in the First Quarter and Last Quarter period. The light trap catch of the H. armigera was seemingly influenced by both the moon phases and the horizontal component of geomagnetism.

This study assessed the relationship between season and lunar phase at conception on offspring sex ratio of four livestock species (sheep, cattle, goats and pigs). The sex of 66,830 lambs (1995–2015); 25,546 calves (2011–2015); 5671 kids (2002–2007) and 1916 piglets was recorded. Moon phases were categorized as either new moon, crescent moon, full moon or decrescent moon. Sex ratio, expressed as proportion of males (males/males + females), was tested against the expected value of 1:1. In sheep, offspring sex ratio and lunar phase were not correlated; season had a significant (p = 0.002) effect on offspring sex ratio. The proportion of males born of spring and winter matings was significantly higher than it was among offspring born of summer (p

The time of the activity may be changed throughout the circadian cycle to increase the fitness of species and allow their co-existence. The goal of this paper was to test whether the activity patterns of ocelots Leopardus pardalis are synchronized with those of their potential prey, and assess the effect of the moon cycle on this predator–prey relationship, through camera-trapping. Activity levels of ocelots and potential prey have been assessed across circadian and moon cycles and the temporal overlap between them was calculated for each moon phase. Ocelots have shown to be nocturnal and the number of their records has been constant across the moon cycle, and their activity patterns overlapped those of their nocturnal prey significantly more than remaining species', during full moon. These findings suggest that ocelots switch the type of prey (diurnal or nocturnal) they hunt in different moon phases and display higher hunting success in full moon nights.

Sin duda, los productores saben de la influencia lunar y sobre el movimiento de la savia en las plantas en determinados momentos, debido a los conocimientos ancestrales y experiencias adquiridas. Sin embargo, en relación al prendimiento de injertos en cacao (Theobroma cacao), existen pocos estudios científicos que demuestren tales efectos. El objetivo principal del estudio fue comparar los efectos de las fases lunares en el prendimiento de dos tipos de injertos en cacao. Para ello se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo bifactorial, con tres repeticiones por cada una de las fases y un universo de 576 plantas. La variable de medición únicamente fue el prendimiento de las plantas que se injertaron. Los datos fueron procesados en el programa Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) versión 21 y se sometieron al análisis de varianza ANDEVA con un nivel de confianza del 95%. Los análisis revelan que existen diferencias significativas para las técnicas de injertación (p=0.0110.05). En base al análisis combinado de varianza no existen diferencias significativas para la interacción fases lunares y técnicas de injertación puesto que (p=0.761>0.05). Summary There is no doubt the producers know of the moon influence and the sap movement in plants at certain moments, due to the ancestral knowledge and experiences gained. However, in relation to the root taking of grafts in cocoa (Theobroma cacao), there are few scientific studies that demonstrate such effects. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of moon phases in the root taking of two types of grafts in cocoa. To do this we used a complete randomized design with bifactorial order, with three replays for each of the phases and a universe of 576 plants. The measurement variable was based on the root taking of the plants that were implanted. The data were processed in the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) program (version 21), and subjected to the ANOVA analysis of variance with a reliability level of 95%. The analysis shows significant differences for grafting techniques (p=0.0110.05). Based on the combined analysis of variance there is no significant differences for the interaction between moon phases and grafting techniques since (p=0.761>0.05).

This study presents results on the collection of Panulirus inflatus pueruli in seaweed (GuSi; set at the surface) and crevice (Booth: set on the bottom) collectors from April to December 1998 in waters of the southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico. The collectors were deployed at two sites in Mazatlán Bay. A total of 15 pueruli and 26 post-pueruli were collected, of which 4 postpueruli were found in crevice collectors from 10 inspections. Examination of the crevice collectors was difficult because weather conditions made sampling problematic during the year in this zone. Seaweed collectors caught 37 pueruli in 91 observations. Most of the pueruli from these collectors were caught between April and June, with a peak settlement in May (19) and a mean surface water temperature of 24.4°C. The highest catch per unit of effort was 1.36 pueruli per collector per week in May, followed by April (0.33) and June (0.31). Statistical tests showed no significant differences among the moon phases, although the number of pueruli was higher during the first quarter. This is the first record of P. inflatus pueruli in the southeastern Gulf of California on specifically designed collectors.

This study describes for the first time the feeding behaviour and mesopelagic food consumption of adult Trachurus picturatus in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea), where the distinctive hydrodynamic regime and the lunar cycle influence food availability for this predator. Indeed, the Strait of Messina is characterized by the upwelling of colder, saltier and nutrient-rich Levantine Intermediate Water, supporting the congregation and abundance of the mesopelagic community. Despite the commercial importance of T. picturatus in the Mediterranean and Atlantic fisheries, its trophic ecology is almost unknown. Overall, 262 specimens of T. picturatus were collected from small-scale fisheries of the Strait of Messina (September 2016–August 2017) and their stomach content was examined to investigate dietary composition and feeding strategy. Although the absence of a dominant prey item ruled out specialized predatory behaviour in T. picturatus, mesopelagic prey dominated the diet of this species and a significant fraction of food (more than 80% in terms of Index of Relative Importance) was represented by euphausiids and mesopelagic fish. The predator exploitation of mesopelagic prey resources was analysed, considering the ecological implications of the hydrodynamic regime of the study area, which is strongly influenced by upwelling processes linked to the lunar cycle. For this reason, we tested and confirmed the hypothesis that moon phases could influence the food intake of T. picturatus and seasonal variations in the diet as well as size-related dietary shift were also observed.

The knowledge about the awakening of hibernating bats is not sufficient. Unknown are also factors affecting the cyclical nature of this process. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of changes of phases of the moon, and thus changes in the Earth's magnetic field on the behaviour of wintering common noctules Nyctalus noctula Schreber. Hibernation of 336 common noctules placed in the hibernation shed was investigated. The shed was equipped with loggers which measured temperature. Based on the temperature changes inside the shed, a drop or an increase in bat activity was determined. Periodicity of temperature increase was observed and it correlated with the current moon phases. The moon phase regarded as the bright referred to more than 70% of moon face illuminated (MFI). The significant temperature increase inside the shed was observed at 70% MFI. This is also when the bats demonstrated an increased activity. The observed differences in the temperature inside the shed during bright nigh...

For many years, it was believed that bird and mammal communication ‘in the dark of the night’ relied exclusively on vocal and chemical signalling. However, in recent decades, several case studies have conveyed the idea that the nocturnal world is rich in visual information. Clearly, a visual signal needs a source of light to work, but diurnal light (twilight included, i.e. any light directly dependent on the sun) is not the only source of luminosity on this planet. Actually, moonlight represents a powerful source of illumination that cannot be neglected from the perspective of visual communication. White patches of feathers and fur on a dark background have the potential to be used to communicate with conspecifics and heterospeci-fics in dim light across different contexts and for a variety of reasons. Here: (i) we review current knowledge on visual signalling in crepuscular and nocturnal birds and mammals; and (ii) we also present some possible cases of birds and mammals that, due to the characteristics of their feather and fur coloration pattern, might use visual signals in dim light. Visual signalling in nocturnal animals is still an emerging field and, to date, it has received less attention than many other means of communication, including visual communication under daylight. For this reason, many questions remain unanswered and, sometimes, even unasked.

This study is on the light trapping of caddisfly species (Insecta: Trichoptera) related to the proportion of males and females and the moon phases. The data collected includes 24 species in 9 light-trap stations, for 49 swarming events between the years 1980 and 2000. We found the massive emergence of adults happens fractionally in swarming intervals. This is connected with the phenology and life cycle of each species. The percentage of males and females of the same species during different swarming events cannot be considered equal. The proportion of males and females are different in the swarming of different species. We found that the number of male and female individuals is substantially synchronized with each other within the swarming, but it can be different in the case of each species. The duration of the swarming, even in the same species, are not always uniform. The effect of the Moon cannot be clearly identified in any species, even if data from several swarmings are available. The swarming peaks appear near different Moon quarters.

Schooling fishes, like flocking birds and swarming insects, display remarkable behavioral coordination. While over 25% of fish species exhibit schooling behavior, nighttime schooling has rarely been observed or reported. This is due to vision being the primary modality for schooling, which is corroborated by the fact that most fish schools disperse at critically low light levels. Here we report on a large aggregation of the bioluminescent flashlight fish Anomalops katoptron that exhibited nighttime schooling behavior during multiple moon phases, including the new moon. Data were recorded with a suite of low-light imaging devices, including a high-speed, high-resolution scientific complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (sCMOS) camera. Image analysis revealed nighttime schooling using synchronized bioluminescent flashing displays, and demonstrated that school motion synchrony exhibits correlation with relative swim speed. A computer model of flashlight fish schooling behavior shows that only a small percentage of individuals need to exhibit bioluminescence in order for school cohesion to be maintained. Flashlight fish schooling is unique among fishes, in that bioluminescence enables schooling in conditions of no ambient light. In addition, some members can still partake in the school while not actively exhibiting their bioluminescence. Image analysis of our field data and model demonstrate that if a small percentage of fish become motivated to change direction, the rest of the school follows. The use of bioluminescence by flashlight fish to enable schooling in shallow water adds an additional ecological application to bioluminescence and suggests that schooling behavior in mesopelagic bioluminescent fishes may be also mediated by luminescent displays.

Some bat species seem to be lunar phobic, i.e., they avoid flying in bright areas or during bright periods of the night; however, the evidence is still controversial. We think that part of this controversy comes from pooling data on bat captures and moonlight intensity according to broad categories, such as moon phases, which conceal the high variability among nights. Therefore, we used detailed, long-term field data on three phyllostomid bat species, in order to test the hypothesis of lunar phobia at two different time scales: 1) among nights, by pooling data of different nights according to moon phases and testing for differences in the distribution of captures; and 2) within a night, by analyzing the relationship between capturability and moonlight intensity (measured as illuminance) in one-hour intervals for 29 individual nights. Although most captures of the studied bat species occurred in the first half of the night, their activity pattern varied largely among nights, and was not always unimodal as commonly assumed. At the larger time scale, all studied bat species showed evidence of lunar phobia, as they were more frequently captured on dark moon phases. Nevertheless, at the smaller time scale, only Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) was less frequently captured on brighter periods of the night. We propose that the unimodal activity pattern assumed for frugivorous phyllostomid bats may be an artifact of data organization, and that activity and lunar phobia are much more variable than previously assumed.

In this study we examine the relationship between the Lunar Phases and the efficiency of light traps in catching winter moth (Operophthera brumata Linnaeus, 1758). Our calculations are based on data collected by the Hungarian Forestry Light Trap Network at four sites from 1961 to 2008. We also tried to estimate the influence of polarized moonlight and collecting distance, which also depends on moonlight. Our investigations revealed that the catches were the greatest in the First and the Last Quarters, and the lowest at Full Moon. The reason for this is that the proportion of polarized moonlight in the different lunar quarters varies, with the catches highest when the proportion is greatest. Collecting distance has only a minor role.

This study aimed to determinate the moon phase’s influence on Brunfelsia uniflora (Pohl.) D. Don. In January 2008, semi woody cuttings were collected in Curitiba, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomly design with four treatments that represent the moon phases (new; full; waning and waxing). The cuttings were maintained inside a greenhouse. After 90 days the followings were analyzed: rooting percentage, number of roots, length of the three longer roots, un-rooted living cuttings, dead cuttings and cuttings with sprouts. It was also evaluated the amount of reducing sugar and total sugar. From the results obtained it was not possible conclude that the moon phases had any influence on the rooting of Brunfelsia uniflora.

The effects of moon phases on predator-prey relationships have so far been mainly investigated from the prey's perspective. The response of a predator to moon phases may represent a complex trade-off between overcoming the antipredator strategies of its prey and balancing other needs/constraints (e.g. individual status and condition). We explored the year-round effects of the lunar cycle on radiotagged breeders and dispersers of an avian predator, the eagle owl, Bubo bubo, from the perspective of movement patterns, foraging effort and display intensity. In general, the movements of breeders suggested an increase in activity around the time of the full moon. This may be related to an increase in both the time needed to detect prey (on brighter nights prey are more concealed and wary) and the time the predator devotes to visual displays (the full moon increases the conspicuousness of signalling). However, hunting activity also peaked during dark nights, when prey might be harder to see. In contrast, the behaviour of dispersing owls was not affected by lunar cycles. Natal dispersal involves potentially dangerous crossings of unknown landscapes (which probably requires similar effort throughout the year), and because of the absence of reproductive constraints should not require greater activity when food profitability is low. The status of individuals may thus play a crucial role in cost-benefit considerations and behavioural decisions, by directly affecting the time and effort individuals need to allocate to various activities related to their most immediate needs (e.g. breeding successfully versus overcoming dispersal costs). © 2011 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

To identify the timing and location of spawning activity for boneWsh (Albula spp.) in the Bahamian archi- pelago, we used an acoustic telemetry array spanning 44 km 2 of shallow tidal creeks, Xats, and adjacent deeper coastal waters near Cape Eleuthera. In two successive years, we surgically implanted transmitters in male and female boneWsh (n = 60) and examined their movement patterns within the array. Eight boneWsh surgically implanted with transmitters as part of an earlier study were also tracked. In 2009, the telemetry information was com- plemented with snorkeling observations, underwater video, and manual tracking of the same acoustically tagged Wsh, as well as Wsh (n = 3) gastrically implanted with continuous transmitters. During a period of 4-7 days spanning the full and new moons, primarily between October and May, boneWsh moved from their typical shallow Xats and aggre- gated at sites in close proximity to the deep water drop-oV of the Exuma Sound. Localized movements of the large schools of boneWsh (often >1,000 Wsh) at these presumptive pre-spawning aggregation sites included brief trips ( 1,000 m depth). Tagged boneWsh detected at these aggregation sites were subsequently detected back in the tidal creeks and coastal Xats shortly after new and full moons and remained at these more typical shallow sites (i.e.

The study of the nocturnal activity pattern of Iranian jerboa showed that this species stayed out of the burrow nests for a large part of the night during the first and last weeks of the lunar month, whereby their nocturnal activities markedly decreased from a half to a full moon. The scale of activity was higher when the moon was low than when it was high. Additionally, activity shifted somewhat from open to vegetation cover when the moon was high. The higher predation risk in brighter nights is supposed to be the main reason for such an activity pattern.

Andean Patagonian lakes are ultraoligotrophic, highly transparent water bodies with very low densities of organisms at the different levels of their trophic food webs. Little is known about spatial distribution and habitat use by fish in these lakes. Hydroacoustic and active sampling techniques were used to study the distribution, composition, and displacement of organisms in an Andean lake throughout the diel cycle on two different moon phase days. Sound scattering layers (SSLs) were found both in the near-shore and pelagic habitats at different times of the day. These SSLs, formed by galaxiid larvae and adults, underwent displacement during the time periods of dawn and dusk, giving rise to the redistribution of organisms in the different habitats. The organisms show high sensitivity to light intensity, displaying different behaviors depending on moon phases. Extensive diel vertical migrations show that the deep pelagic habitats provide diurnal refuge for native galaxiids in Andean Patagonian lakes. Due to the high densities of galaxiid larvae and adults, it is likely that diel migrations generate an active flow of energy and matter between habitats, which could have a profound influence on whole lake dynamics.

Summary The objective of this study was to examine the space and environment variables that contributed to the presence of swordfish in the Strait of Messina during the 2003 and 2004 harpoon fishing activity. The relationships between catches per location and environmental factors (current, moon phase and sea surface temperature) were analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM). The GLM analysis showed differences in CPUE (catch per unit effort) values in terms of swordfish numbers per location over the 2-year period. The central locations of the Strait were found to be teeming with fish; the CPUE was also higher in these areas during the new and rising moon phases.

El presente estudio se desarrolló en dos comunidades tsotsiles, pertenecientes a la familia lingüística maya, con el objetivo de determinar los conocimientos y las percepciones de los agricultores sobre los insectos perjudiciales de la milpa. Con base en un enfoque cualitativo, la información se recopiló mediante entrevistas, visitando parcelas y un taller en cada comunidad. Los vocablos que se utilizan para referirse a los insectos y otros artrópodos son bik¢tal chonetik y chanul, para referirse a los que perjudican a sus cultivos agregan el término slajes. Se reconocieron 19 insectos perjudiciales para la milpa, dos de los cuales (Atta mexicana y Helicoverpa zea) son a la vez comestibles. Los agricultores identificaron que la presencia y abundancia de insectos se relaciona con factores como la sequia. El escaso conocimiento sobre los ciclos de vida y enemigos naturales de los insectos puede obstaculizar los esfuerzos para un control biológico de insectos plaga.

A large-scale field experiment on the drying behavior of Norway Spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in relation to the felling date was conducted over a period of 24 weeks in order to investigate the existence of variations linked to lunar rhythms, which are mentioned as having a role in many traditional forestry practices. The measured criteria were the water loss from fresh to dry state, the shrinkage linked to this water loss, and the relative density (ratio between the dry density and the initial fresh density) for both sapwood and heartwood in Picea and heartwood in Castanea. In addition to seasonal trends, slight but significant variations with lunar periodicities (both synodic and sidereal; to a much lesser extent tropic) characterize the three investigated criteria. These lunar rhythmicities occur in both Picea and Castanea, in heartwood and sapwood. These results raise new questions and perspectives about a rhythmic character of the wood-water relation.

The effect of the moon phases on the activity of nocturnal cotton pests, as indicated by moth-catches in an ultra violet light-trap, was studied over two complete lunar cycles in 1973. The resulting data indicated that the average log. catches obtained during new moon and last quarter weeks were more than double those caught at full moon. This explains the irregularity in the population curves of some of these species and could serve as a basis for predicting the rate of infestation of certain pests. Zusammenfassung Beitrage zur Okologie der Baumwollschadlinge in Agypten. III. Zur Wirkung der Mondphase auf die nachtliche Flugaktivitat einiger Schmetterlingsarten Mit Hilfe einer Ultraviolett-Lichtfalle wurden wahrend zweier Mondzyklen 1973 die Wirkungen der Mondphase auf die Flugaktivitat von 6 an Baumwolle schadlichen Lepidopterenarten untersucht. Aus den Ergebnissen geht hervor, das der mittlere Logarithmus der Fange bei Neumond und im letzten Mondviertel mehr als doppelt so gros war als bei Vollmond. Dies erklart die Irregularitat der Populationskurven einiger der untersuchten Arten und tragt zur Grundlegung der Schadensprognose bei.

The authors worked up a material collected during 14 years at 20 sites of the Hungarian forestry and agricultural light-trap network system. In this study they examined the effect of the polarization and intensity of the reflected moonlight on the abundance of 5 lepidopteran and 2 coleopteran species in the trap catches. The material consisted of 55,003 specimen. The relative abundances of the insects in catches per day were calculated for each swarming time, and these were arranged by species and flights according to moon phases and the catches of the corresponding days of lunations were meaned. In this way, the mean relative abundances (MRA) vs. moon phase, characteristic for the species, were calculated. Then these daily MRAs of the 7 species were meaned, these general MRAs (GMRAs) served as a basis of the further analysis. In the next step, from the GMRAs power spectra were calculated; the period times belonging to their extreme values were 14.5, 30, 10, 7.4, and 3.3 d, respectively. We calculated the correlation coefficient between the GMRAs and the polarization rate (PR) of the moonlight (r = + 0.87). Together with these, the theoretical RAs of insects caught at new moon divided by at full moon, were calculated, by using probability methods and data of the illumination conditions (light emission) of the Jermy-type light-trap, the Moon and the night sky. It was concluded that the calculated period time of 14.5 d was related to the polarization rate of the moonlight. The highest trap catches coincided with the maximal polarization rates. From the 30 day's period it was postulated that the intensity has a modificator effect. At new moon and at full moon (both phases emitting unpolarized light) the number of insects caught is influenced by the conditions of light intensity in the surrounding of the trap, which determine also the distance of attractiveness. So the moonlight effects both the extension of the collecting area and flight activity of the insects by the cyclic changes of light intensity and polarization rate. Therefore the number of the insects caught is influenced by the lunar cycle. Zusammenfassung Zur Wirkung der Mondphasen und der Intensitat des polarisierten Mondlichtes auf Lichtfallen-Fange Funf Lepidopteren- und zwei Coleopteren-Arten mit insgesamt 55 003 Individuen, die wahrend 14 Jahren in 20 auf forst- und landwirtschaftlichen Flachen in Ungarn verteilten Lichtfallen gefangen worden waren, wurden daraufhin untersucht, ob ihr Auftreten Beziehungen zur Mondphase und zur Intensitat des polarisierten Mondlichtes erkennen last. Es wurde die mittlere relative Abundanz (MRA) der 7 Arten in Beziehung zur Mondphase berechnet. Sodann wurden die taglichen MRAs bestimmt und diese generellen MRAs (GMRAs) als Grundlage fur die weitere Analyse verwendet. Der nachste Schritt bestand in der Berechnung der Machtigkeitsspektren aus den GMRAs. Die zu den Extremwerten gehorenden Perioden betrugen 30, 14, 5, 10, 7, 4 und 3,3 d. Der zwischen den GMRAs und der Polarisationsrate (PR) des Mondlichtes bestehende Korrelationskoeffizient wurde bestimmt (r = + 0,87). Zusammen mit diesen wurden die theoretischen RAs des Insektenfanges bei Neumond und Vollmond berechnet, wobei Probabilitatsmethoden sowie Daten der Beleuchtungsverhaltnisse (Lichtemission) der JERMY-Lichtfallen des Mondes und der des nachtlichen Himmels zugrunde gelegt wurden. Es wurde gefunden, das die berechnete Periode von 14,5 d zur Polarisationsrate des Mondlichts in Beziehung stand. Die hochsten Fangwerte entsprachen den maximalen Polarisationsraten. Aus der 30-Tagesperiode wurde abgeleitet, das die Lichtintensitat modifizierende Wirkung besitzt. Bei Neumond und Vollmond (beide Phasen emittieren unpolarisiertes Licht) wurde die Zahl der gefangenen Insekten von den Lichtverhaltnissen in der Fallenumgebung beeinflust, die auserdem auch die Entfernung der Fallenwirkung bestimmten. Nach alledem beeinflust das Mondlicht die Ausdehnung sowohl des Fangareals als auch der Flugaktivitat der Insekten auf Grund der zyklischen Veranderungen der Intensitat und Polarisationsrate. Somit wird die Zahl der gefangenen Insekten vom Mondzyklus beeinflust.

A correlation was found between the summarized values of horizontal component change of the geomagnetic field-strength measured at night, and the amount of light-trap catches of fall webworm moth (Hyphantria cunea Drury). It was stated that the change of geomagnetic field strength significantly, but in the various moon-phases differently, influces the catches. On this basis of above tests a new hypothesis has been elaborated for the spatial orientation of insects. Results of the study may be used in plant protection forecasting too. Zusammenfassung Uber allgemeine Wirkungen des Geomagnetismus und des Mondphasenwechsels auf die Lichtfallenfange von Hyphantria cunea Drury Es wurde eine Korrelation zwischen den Summenwerten des Wechsels der geomagnetischen Feldstarke (Messungen nachts) und den Lichtfallenfangen von H. cunea gefunden. Es zeigte sich, das der Wechsel der geomagnetischen Feldstarke in signifikanter - aber mit der Mondphase wechselnder - Weise die Lichtfangergebnisse beeinfluste. Auf dieser Grundlage wird eine neue Hypothese zur raumlichen Orientierung von Insekten aufgestellt. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Untersuchungen konnen fur die Schadlingsprognose von Nutzen sein.

We made an examination using the data of higher and lower light-traps of Talcal, Rezi and Kecskemet. We made comparison between the catch and the moon phases.Our results, got from the data of Kecskemet light-trap, prove the proportion of caught samples both of fall webworm ( Hyphantria cunea Drury) and of turnip moth ( Scotia segetum Schiff.) is the most equable at the lower and higher levels at the time of full moon.The proportion of Microlepidoptera individuals (Tarcal), caught by lower and higher light-traps at Tarcal, is the highest at new moon, but it is higher at full moon than at first and last quarter and the proportion of caught species number is also similar.The proportion of Macrolepidoptera individuals (Rezi), caught by lower and higher traps is highest in the last quarter, the lowest in first quarter and at full moon. The proportion of caught species shows similar but more strikingly marked picture.

This paper analyzes the spatiotemporal variation and the causes of seabird bycatch by the Uruguayan pelagic longline fleet in a region of the Atlantic Ocean where the world’s highest historical rates of seabird bycatch were recorded. The study is based on data obtained by the Uruguayan Observers Program in 29 trips, conducted from 1998 to 2004, totalling about 648,000 hooks. The bird capture per unit of effort (BCPUE) for the studied period was 0.42 birds/1,000 hooks. The highest BCPUE values were recorded in the period May–November. Three zones were identified, with BCPUEs of 2.50 birds/1,000 hooks (very high); 0.78 birds/1,000 hooks (high) and 0.04 birds/1,000 hooks (low). Though these BCPUE values are lower than those historically reported, some are still high in global terms. Night setting was found to be effective in reducing seabird bycatch, but it is necessary to implement additional measures as seabirds have access to bait also by night, especially during the more luminous moon phases.

In order to investigate the significance of the moon phases at the felling date on wood properties of Norway spruce, 30 trees from the same growth site were felled at six different dates during waxing/ascending, and waning/descending moon cycles, respectively. The present work deals especially with the effect on wood-water-relations of the analysed samples, as well as with the effect on some wood properties after weathering. The results show significant differences in the second half of the experimental felling period.

La distribución larval de estomatópodos en aguas superficiales del Pacífico colombiano, se evaluó alrededor de septiembre, entre el 2001 y 2004. Mediante una red cónica con poro de 363μm, se obtuvieron 98 muestras superficiales de mesozooplancton, de las cuales, se extrajeron todas las larvas de estomatópodos. Se estimaron las abundancias para evaluar las posibles relaciones con la temperatura, la salinidad, la hora de captura, las fases lunares y la circulación superficial. Los promedios térmicos (26,9°C) y salinos (31,8 UPS) indicaron condiciones normales en el área de estudio, con mayor influencia de la temperatura sobre la abundancia larval, cuyo promedio fue más alto en septiembre de 2004 (197 Ind./1000m3), que en los otros periodos (>27 Ind./1000m3). Aunque se hallaron larvas, incluso hasta 556 km de la costa, en todos los periodos los mayores valores (70-2282 Ind./1000m3), se registraron en aguas neríticas del centro-sur (3-5°N), quizá en relación con el asentamiento de poblaciones adultas, en esa zona. Se observó una tendencia al aumento larvario en la noche, cuarto menguante y cuarto creciente. Es muy probable que en la distribución larval influya también la dinámica hidrológica del área de estudio.

Ancient forest utilization regulations regarding felling dates and wood use are compared to the moon cycles. Furthermore, moon-phase related investigations with regard to germination behaviour, insect infestation and durability of the wood are presented.

Night-migrating skylarks (Alauda arvensis) were captured during four successive autumns in France. The study aimed at detecting a possible influence of the lunar cycle on the nocturnal migration of this species. Though nocturnal postnuptial migration of the skylarks can occur during every phase of the moon, main nocturnal movements occurred when the moon was in its waxing gibbous phase. This phase gives the best conditions for migration because, from the very beginning of night, it provides the necessary horizon for individuals to navigate and its light allows the use of topographic cues. In addition it allows the species to benefit from optimal conditions of illumination for almost a week.

Virani, M. 2000. Home range and movement patterns of Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 139–142. A radio-telemetric study of the endangered Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae was conducted between July and December 1993. The aims were to determine the species' home range and movement patterns with respect to time and moon phases. Information gathered would then be used to formulate a rational conservation plan to ensure their survival. Six adult owls (from three adjacent pairs) were monitored during the study period. Pairs held exclusive home ranges with little (2.6%) or no overlap with their neighbours. Mean home range size (MCP) of individual owls was 8.8 ha while mean home range size of each pair was 11.0 ha. Peak owl activity took place immediately after dusk and prior to dawn. Periods of lulls occurred between 23h00 and 03h00. Movement per unit time was negatively correlated with distance from roost. The owls tended to forage further from their roosts on nights with decreased illumination ...

Two rotating smolt traps were used through 4 consecutive years to monitor emigrations of age-0 chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from two watersheds of the upper South Umpqua River basin, Oregon, U.S.A. The number of wild smolts moving past the mainstem South Umpqua River trap ranged from 26 455 in 1991 to less than 5000 in 1993. The number of wild smolts passing the Jackson Creek trap ranged from 13 345 in 1991 to 0 in 1993. Higher numbers of wild smolts were significantly (P = 0.003) correlated with higher numbers of prespawning adults counted in index reaches the preceding year. Timing of emigration of smolts was found to be significantly related to stream temperature (P < 0.05) and phase of the lunar cycle (P < 0.05) but not related to changes in discharge (P > 0.05). Median emigration dates, which varied over 9 weeks, were earlier when spring water temperatures were higher. On average, two thirds of yearly smolt runs occurred when the moon was either waning or new, even though these moon phases were present only about half of the time. Significantly (P < 0.05) more fish than expected emigrated past both traps when day length was increasing.

The annual reproductive and the lunar-related spawning cycles of the pencil-streaked rabbitfish Siganus doliatus collected from Chuuk Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia, were examined histologically. Monthly collection of this species revealed that ovaries with developing oocytes containing yolk were observed from February to May and in August and September. Weekly collection of the fish showed that ovarian development and spawning after the first quarter moon were repeated during the reproductive season, suggesting that S. doliatus is a restricted lunar-synchronized spawner and releases gametes around the time of the first quarter moon.

Trap is one of the common fishing gears used by the fishermen to catch mangrove crabs. Using several kinds of bait could increase the fishing power of the traps. The objective of this research was to study experimentally the effect of several kinds of trap baits and moon phases toward the capture of mangrove crab. Catch data were collected using 12 units of traps,which operated in the estuary waters of Kalurae Village, Regency of Sangihe Islands. Four kinds of bait were used to trap: scads mackerel (Decapterus macarellus), little tuna (Euthynnus sp.), trevally(Caranx sp.) and chicken innards. Data were analyzed by randomized block design. Analysis of variance showed that different types of bait on the trap and moon phase caused highly significant effect on catch. Least significant differences test showed that using scads mackerel bait on the trap was not significantly different from little tuna bait, but differed significantly from trevally and chicken innards baits. Similarly, using little tuna bait was not significantly different from trevally bait, but differed significantly from chicken innards bait; and trevally bait was not different from chicken innards bait. Catching mangrove crabs with traps should use scads mackerel and little tuna baits, and be operated around the new moon phase© Bubu merupakan alat tangkap yang umum digunakan nelayan untuk menangkap kepiting bakau. Penggunaan beberapa jenis umpan, diduga dapat meningkatkan fishing power dari alat tangkap bubu. Penelitian ini bertujuan mempelajari pengaruh jenis umpan bubu dan fase umur bulan di langit terhadap hasil tangkapan kepiting bakau; dikerjakan dengan metode eksperimental. Data tangkapan dikumpulkan dengan mengoperasikan 12 unit bubu, di perairan estuari Kampung Kalurae, Kabupaten Kepulauan Sangihe. Empat jenis umpan yang diperlakukan, yaitu ikan layang (Decapterus macarellus), tongkol (Euthynnus sp.), selar (Caranx sp.) dan jeroan ayam. Data dianalisis berdasarkan Rancangan Acak Kelompok. Analisis Sidik Ragam menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan jenis umpan pada bubu dan fase umur bulan berpengaruh sangat nyata terhadap hasil tangkapan. Uji Beda Nyata Terkecil menyatakan bahwa penggunaan jenis umpan layang pada bubu tidak berbeda nyata dengan umpan tongkol, tetapi berbeda sangat nyata dengan penggunaan umpan selar dan umpan jeroan. Demikian juga penggunaan umpan tongkol tidak berbeda nyata dengan umpan selar, tetapi berbeda sangat nyata dengan umpan jeroan; sedangkan penggunaan antara umpan selar dan jeroan tidak ada perbedaan yang nyata. Umpan ikan layang dan ikan tongkol serta fase umur bulan I dan fase IV memberikan hasil tangkapan kepiting bakau yang lebih baik©

In Amphibians, both positive and negative correlations between activity and full moon phase have been observed. In this study, we present data for two anuran species (Hyla intermedia and Rana dalmatina) studied in a hilly Mediterranean area of central Italy. We analysed, in a two-year survey, the relationships between the number of egg clutches laid each night and the moon phases by means of circular statistics. Moreover, the studied species exhibited clear oviposition site selection behaviour influenced, at least in H. intermedia, by moon phases. We observed the occurrence of an avoidance effect by amphibians for oviposition and specific egg-laying behaviour during moon phases around the full moon. This apparent lunar phobia was evident in both species when yearly data were pooled. On the other hand, while this pattern continued to be also evident in H. intermedia when single years were considered, in R. dalmatina it stood just in one year of study. Nonetheless, during cloudy nights, when moonlight arriving on the ground was low, the frogs' behaviour was similar to that observed in new moon phases. We interpreted the observed pattern as an anti-predatory strategy. Overall, comparisons between our own study and previous research suggest that there was insufficient evidence to establish any unequivocal patterns and that further research in this regard is needed.

Tuna is one of the important export commodities to increase government income. One of economically important tuna species is bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) which has a proportion of 21% of the total production of large tuna group. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different moon phase on the catch of bigeye tuna (T. obesus) in Eastern Indian Ocean. Data collection was conducted by the scientific observers from August 2005 to June 2014 in the tuna longline vessels were based in the port of Benoa, Bali. Moon phase data were collected from August 2005 to June 2014 from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Catch data were calculated using the catch rate formula which defined as the number of catches per 100 hooks. The number of catch rate then was sorted into each moon phases and were analyzed using one-way Anova. This study covered 62 trips and 1,480 numbers of operations or sets was conducted from sampled vessels. The result showed that the average catch rate of bigeye tuna differed significantly among the moon phases. Tukey post-hoc tests showed that the average catch rate at full moon was the highest among the groups with around 0.3/100 hooks. This study showed that moon phase had significant effect on the catch of bigeye tuna (T. obesus) that increased the catch during full moon. Keywords: moon phase, catch rate, Eastern Indian Ocea, tuna, Thunnus obesus

Context It is well established that artificial light can disrupt the sea-finding ability of sea turtle hatchlings, and some manufactures are now marketing ‘turtle-friendly’ lights that are supposed to be minimally disruptive to this sea-finding behaviour. However, there have been no studies that have tested whether ‘turtle-friendly’ lights are benign to hatchling sea turtle sea-finding ability. Aims We tested two different types of ‘turtle-friendly’ lights (LED amber-light peak intensity 620 nm and LED red-light peak intensity 640 nm) to see whether they are disruptive to the sea-finding ability of eastern-coast Australian loggerhead turtle hatchlings. Methods Using standard circular-arena experiments, we assessed the directional preference of newly emerged loggerhead turtle hatchlings from the Woongarra Coast of Queensland, Australia, during different moon phases without artificial lighting and in the presence of ‘turtle-friendly’ lights. Key results Contrary to expectations, sea-finding ability of hatchlings was disrupted by the amber lights, particularly in the absence of a moon. The less intense red lights were less disruptive to hatchlings; however, misorientation and disorientation events still occurred when lights were within 4 m of hatchlings. The disruptive impact on sea-finding ability increased with the cumulative impact of multiple lights increasing light intensity. Conclusions The ‘turtle-friendly’ lights we used disrupted the sea-finding ability of eastern-coast Australian loggerhead turtle hatchlings, with the most pronounced disruption occurring under moonless conditions. Implications The use of amber and red LED lights adjacent to the nesting beaches of loggerhead sea turtles should be managed because this lighting has the potential to disrupt the sea-finding ability of sea turtle hatchlings.