Search

Growing demands on ocean resources are placing increasing pressures on ocean ecosystems. To assess the current state of knowledge of future human pressures on the ocean, we conducted a literature review of recent and projected trends of 25 anthropogenic pressures, comprising most of the identified human pressures on the global oceans. To better understand gaps in the data, we developed a comprehensive framework of the activities contributing to each pressure. All pressures were allocated to five categories (biological disruption, disturbance and removal, altered ocean chemistry, pollution, and climate pressures). All pressures are expected to worsen in the future under business‐as‐usual scenarios (or similar) based on past trajectories and/or models of future scenarios. Eight of the pressures assessed have not been projected into the future (diseases and pathogens, introduced coastal wildlife predation, disruption to sediment dynamics, wildlife strikes, organic and inorganic chemical pollution, light and noise pollution), likely due to the limited availability of data describing current pressures, the challenges of modeling future pressures, and high levels of uncertainty. We thus recommend they receive priority attention to assess their likely future trajectories, given their potential magnitude of influence. Plain Language Summary: Ocean ecosystems face increasing challenges owing to growing demands on ocean resources, pollution and climate change. To better predict the future trajectories of human pressures on the ocean, we conducted a review of 25 human‐induced pressures on global oceans. All pressures are expected to worsen in the future if current trends continue. Some pressures (i.e., diseases and pathogens, introduced coastal wildlife predation, disruption to sediment dynamics, wildlife strikes, organic and inorganic chemical pollution, light and noise pollution) lack future projections and need urgent attention to assess their potential impacts. Key Points: For marine environments, 25 anthropogenic pressures are projected to worsen in the future under business‐as‐usual scenariosWe identify eight pressures without future projections, and we recommend prioritizing assessments of their trajectoriesThis study underscores the importance of addressing and mitigating all known pressures to promote future healthy ocean ecosystems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea(G. Cuvier, 1829)) is the most endangered marine mammal species in South Africa, and the overall decline of its abundance and group size may affect the social organisation of the species, potentially accentuating its vulnerability. Understanding the social organisation is therefore particularly relevant to conservation efforts. From photo-identification surveys along the south coast of South Africa from March 2014 to June 2015, we quantified association patterns and investigated the social organisation of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins using the half-weight index, social cluster, and network analyses. During the 101 surveys conducted and 553 h of survey effort, 98 sightings of dolphins were recorded and 65 individuals identified. Using individuals seen at least three times, this study reveals that the social network is well differentiated, as strong social divisions exist between individuals that seem to be split into four distinctive social clusters. Network strength was low; approximately half of the associations were low to moderate, whereas some individuals were strongly associated, especially between four pairs of individuals. Although this study is based on a limited number of individuals, our study nevertheless suggests that the atypical strong social bonds recorded here could result from behavioural responses following the decline in group size and abundance. Key words: Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, Sousa plumbea, cetacean, social structure, endangered species, association patterns, half-weight index, social cluster, population decline. Le dauphin à bosse de l'océan Indien (Sousa plumbea (G. Cuvier, 1829)) est l'espèce de mammifère marin la plus menacée en Afrique du Sud, et la baisse globale de son abondance et de la taille de ses groupes pourrait avoir une incidence sur l'organisation sociale de l'espèce, accentuant potentiellement sa vulnérabilité. La compréhension de son organisation sociale revêt donc une importance particulière pour les efforts de conservation. À la lumière de levés de photo-identification le long du littoral sud de l'Afrique du Sud menés de mars 2014 à juin 2015, nous avons quantifié les motifs d'association et étudié l'organisation sociale de dauphins à bosse de l'océan Indien en utilisant des analyses du << half-weight index >>, des groupements sociaux et des réseaux. Au cours des 101 levés réalisés et des 553 h d'effort de levé, 98 observations de dauphins ont été enregistrées et 65 individus ont été identifiés. Sur la base des individus observés au moins trois fois, l'étude révèle que le réseau social est bien différencié, puisque de fortes divisions sociales existent entre les individus, qui semblent être séparés en quatre groupements sociaux distincts. La force du réseau était faible; environ la moitié des associations étaient faibles à modérées, alors que certains individus étaient fortement associés, particulièrement entre quatre pairs d'individus. Bien que l'étude repose sur un nombre limité d'individus, elle donne néanmoins à penser que les forts liens sociaux atypiques relevés pourraient résulter de réactions comportementales découlant de la diminution de l'abondance et de la taille des groupes. [Traduit par la Rédaction] Mots-clés : dauphin à bosse de l'océan Indien, Sousa plumbea, cétacé, structure sociale, espèce menacée, motifs d'association, << half-weight index >>, groupement social, déclin de la population., Introduction In the animal kingdom, group-living strategies vary considerably between species and even within the same species (Whitehead 1997). Within groups, social interactions between members are not random, as individuals [...]

Morphological abnormalities in wild animals can be indicators of the underlying health of a population and may be determined through routine photographic surveys. Here, we assess unusual rostrum conditions in Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) inhabiting South African coastal waters to understand the rate of prevalence of abnormal rostrums and formulate hypotheses on potential causes. Photographic data were collated from systematic boat surveys and opportunistic sightings, obtained between April 1998 and March 2021 in various regions along the South African coast. Overall, 31 unique individuals were found with abnormal rostrum conditions, varying from slight misalignments to severe wounds and/or aberrant morphologies. In most cases, injuries were likely caused by natural events during the animal's life history such as interactions with sharks and/or reef‐associated hunting strategies. Mark–recapture data indicated that individuals had survived with these injuries for up to 10 years. This study reports the highest incidence of rostrum abnormalities in the species. As numbers reflect only those that have survived their injuries, they are considered a minimum estimate. A better understanding of the cause(s) of these injuries is important given the endangered status of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin was recently uplisted to ‘Endangered’ in the recent South African National Red List assessment. Abundance estimates are available from a number of localized study sites, but knowledge of movement patterns and population linkage between these sites is poor. A national research collaboration, the SouSA project, was established in 2016 to address this key knowledge gap. Twenty identification catalogues collected between 2000 and 2016 in 13 different locations were collated and compared. Photographs of 526 humpback dolphins (all catalogues and photos) were reduced to 337 individuals from 12 locations after data selection. Of these, 90 matches were found for 61 individuals over multiple sites, resulting in 247 uniquely, well‐marked humpback dolphins identified in South Africa. Movements were observed along most of the coastline studied. Ranging distances had a median value of 120 km and varied from 30 km up to 500 km. Long‐term site fidelity was also evident in the data. Dolphins ranging along the south coast of South Africa seem to form one single population at the western end of the species' global range. Current available photo‐identification data suggested national abundance may be well below previous estimates of 1000 individuals, with numbers possibly closer to 500. Bearing in mind the poor conservation status of the species in the country, the development of a national Biodiversity Management Plan aimed at ensuring the long‐term survival of the species in South Africa is strongly recommended. At the same time, increased research efforts are essential, particularly to allow for an in‐depth assessment of population numbers and drivers of changes therein. The present study clearly indicates the importance of scientific collaboration when investigating highly mobile and endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social networks have become areas of social interaction among young people where they create a profile to relate with others. The way this population uses social networks has an impact on their socialization as well as the emotional and affective aspects of their development. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze how Facebook is used by young people to communicate among themselves and the experiences they gain from it. On the one hand, while teenagers claim to know the risks, they admit to accepting strangers as friends and to sharing large amounts of true data about their private lives. For this reason, it is necessary to understand the media and digital phenomenon that the youth are living through. Although they are legally prohibited from using Facebook until they are 13, the number of underage users of this social network is growing, without any restraint from parents or schools. This investigation compares the use of Facebook by youth in Colombia and Spain by using the content analysis and interview techniques. In Colombia 100 Facebook profiles were analyzed and 20 interviews carried out with students between 12- and 15-years-old attending the Institución Educativa Distrital Técnico Internacional school in Bogotá. In Spain, 100 Facebook profiles were analyzed and 20 interviews held with students of the same age group attending various secondary schools in Andalusia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical Swine Fever is a highly contagious disease; it is endemic in Cuba and under control by a program that includes vaccination with the live attenuated vaccine of the lapinized Chinese strain (LABIOFAM, S.A.,) of proven safety and effectiveness. For the advantages provided by the use of a marker vaccine in advanced stages of the disease control, a subunit vaccine candidate based on virus E2 glycoprotein of the Classical Swine Fever was evaluated in the field. The serological response induced by the new vaccine candidate was compared with that induced by the Chinese strain in the same epidemiological scenario. The selected pig farm had a history of clinical manifestation of the disease and was subjected to a routine vaccination with the Chinese strain. The humoral immune response in animals vaccinated with both products was evaluated by the neutralization peroxidase-linked assay (NPLA). For this purpose, blood samples were examined at different phases of the technological cycle. The sera of the animals tested with the vaccine candidate showed that they remained with high titers (≥1:100) until the end of the fattening period, differing from those animals vaccinated with the live attenuated vaccine of the Chinese strain. It was also found that the Relative Risk of having antibody titers <1:50 was 12.2 times higher in the animals vaccinated with the Chinese strains than in those vaccinated with the vaccine candidate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze the current situation and plans of control and eradication of classical swine fever in the Americas and the Caribbean as well as the main causes that lead to disease transmission. At present the Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is recognized as a transboundary disease, remains endemic in many countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. In the Americas region remain as affected countries: Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela. In the Caribbean countries the affected ones are: Cuba, Haiti, and Dominican Republic. There are several causes which hinder the control of CSF, playing a key role the political will of each country and its veterinary service. The control and eradication plans are hampered by the low availability of vaccines, inadequate control of the animal movement and the illegal trade of pigs and their products. These elements contribute to the maintenance of infection and spread of the disease from affected into free areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination was applied in a pig herd using an E2 vaccine candidate against classical swine fever (CSF). The sows received a two-dose vaccination schedule (25 µg) at intervals of 21 days. To evaluate the safety of E2 vaccine candidate in pregnant sows up to the second third of gestation, the reproductive performance of these sows was compared with a group of non-vaccinated sows in the last third of the gestation period. Data about repetitions of zeal, abortions, number of offsprings per litter and pups weaned per breeding by sow were registered. When comparing parameters between groups there were no differences. E2 vaccine candidate against CSF is safe when it is applied to pregnant sows until the second third of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]