River system changes and locust breeding area evolution in the Qin-Jin region of the Yellow River Basin during the Ming and Qing dynasties and their disaster effects.

Based on the locust outbreak records in historical documents, we extracted 654 locust outbreak events in the Qin-Jin region of the Yellow River Basin during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911 CE), reconstructed the locust disaster index series according to the severity of locust plagues, and compared them with the flood, drought, famine and river disasters in the same period. The objective was to investigate the process of river system changes in the Qin-Jin region of the Yellow River Basin, their relationship with the evolution of the locust breeding area and disaster effects. The results indicate that locust outbreaks in the Qin-Jin region of the Yellow River basin during the Ming and Qing dynasties were concentrated in the summer and autumn, with disaster grades 2 and 3 predominating. The interannual series of locust outbreaks showed "one peak (1644-1650 CE) and four mounds (1527-1537 CE, 1613-1620 CE, 1690-1704 CE, and 1854-1864 CE)". On the 10-year scale, locust outbreaks were positively correlated with famine and moderately associated with drought and river clearing. The spatial distribution of locust-prone areas corresponded well with drought and famine. The locust breeding areas in the Qin-Jin region were dominated by river flooding locust breeding areas, where topographic factors and river changes more influenced locust distribution. The DPSIR model revealed that potential climatic, locust, and demographic "drivers" exerted "pressure" on the Qin-Jin region of the Yellow River Basin, causing changes in the social, economic and environmental "state" of the locust-prone areas, which in turn "impact" people's livelihoods and ultimately led to a series of central-local-populace "responses".

The effect of environmental changes on locust outbreak dynamics in the downstream area of the Yellow River during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Locust outbreaks were one of the primary biological disasters in ancient China. Using historical data from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the temporal and spatial relationships between the changes in the aquatic environment and the locust dynamics in the downstream areas of the Yellow River were investigated via quantitative statistics, and other factors affecting locust outbreaks were also studied. This study demonstrated that locust, drought and flood outbreaks were spatiotemporally correlated. Locusts and droughts were synchronous for long-term series, but locust outbreaks were weakly correlated with floods. In drought years, the probability of a locust outbreak occurring in the same month as a drought was higher than that in other years and months. The probability of a locust outbreak was higher in the one to two years following a flood than in other years, but locusts were not easily triggered by extreme flooding. In the waterlogged and riverine locust breeding areas, locust outbreaks were more closely related to flooding and drought than in other breeding areas. Affected by the diversion of the Yellow River, the areas of frequent locust outbreaks were around riverine areas. In addition, climate change affects the hydrothermal conditions in which locusts occur, and human activities influence the occurrence of locusts by changing their habitats. Analyzing the relationship between historical locust outbreaks and water system changes provides valuable information for formulating and implementing disaster prevention and mitigation policies in this region.

Dissemination of bla NDM-5 and mcr-8.1 in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella quasipneumoniae in an animal breeding area in Eastern China.

Animal farms have become one of the most important reservoirs of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp. (CRK) owing to the wide usage of veterinary antibiotics. "One Health"-studies observing animals, the environment, and humans are necessary to understand the dissemination of CRK in animal breeding areas. Based on the concept of "One-Health," 263 samples of animal feces, wastewater, well water, and human feces from 60 livestock and poultry farms in Shandong province, China were screened for CRK. Five carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and three carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella quasipneumoniae (CRKQ) strains were isolated from animal feces, human feces, and well water. The eight strains were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, plasmid conjugation assays, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis. All strains carried the carbapenemase-encoding gene bla NDM-5, which was flanked by the same core genetic structure (IS5-bla NDM-5-ble MBL-trpF-dsbD-IS26-ISKox3) and was located on highly related conjugative IncX3 plasmids. The colistin resistance gene mcr-8.1 was carried by three CRKP and located on self-transmissible IncFII(K)/IncFIA(HI1) and IncFII(pKP91)/IncFIA(HI1) plasmids. The genetic context of mcr-8.1 consisted of IS903-orf-mcr-8.1-copR-baeS-dgkA-orf-IS903 in three strains. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis confirmed the clonal spread of CRKP carrying-bla NDM-5 and mcr-8.1 between two human workers in the same chicken farm. Additionally, the SNP analysis showed clonal expansion of CRKP and CRKQ strains from well water in different farms, and the clonal CRKP was clonally related to isolates from animal farms and a wastewater treatment plant collected in other studies in the same province. These findings suggest that CRKP and CRKQ are capable of disseminating via horizontal gene transfer and clonal expansion and may pose a significant threat to public health unless preventative measures are taken.

Characterizing the suckling behavior by video and 3D-accelerometry in humpback whale calves on a breeding ground.

Getting maternal milk through nursing is vital for all newborn mammals. Despite its importance, nursing has been poorly documented in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Nursing is difficult to observe underwater without disturbing the whales and is usually impossible to observe from a ship. We attempted to observe nursing from the calf's perspective by placing CATS cam tags on three humpback whale calves in the Sainte Marie channel, Madagascar, Indian Ocean, during the breeding seasons. CATS cam tags are animal-borne multi-sensor tags equipped with a video camera, a hydrophone, and several auxiliary sensors (including a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer, and a depth sensor). The use of multi-sensor tags minimized potential disturbance from human presence. A total of 10.52 h of video recordings were collected with the corresponding auxiliary data. Video recordings were manually analyzed and correlated with the auxiliary data, allowing us to extract different kinematic features including the depth rate, speed, Fluke Stroke Rate (FSR), Overall Body Dynamic Acceleration (ODBA), pitch, roll, and roll rate. We found that suckling events lasted 18.8 ± 8.8 s on average (N = 34) and were performed mostly during dives. Suckling events represented 1.7% of the total observation time. During suckling, the calves were visually estimated to be at a 30-45° pitch angle relative to the midline of their mother's body and were always observed rolling either to the right or to the left. In our auxiliary dataset, we confirmed that suckling behavior was primarily characterized by a high average absolute roll and additionally we also found that it was likely characterized by a high average FSR and a low average speed. Kinematic features were used for supervised machine learning in order to subsequently detect suckling behavior automatically. Our study is a proof of method on which future investigations can build upon. It opens new opportunities for further investigation of suckling behavior in humpback whales and the baleen whale species.

Relación longitud-peso, y factor de condición relativa de postlarvas epibentónicas y de jóvenes, del camarón rosado Farfantepenaeus duorarum (Crustacea: Penaeidae) en Laguna de Términos, México

El comportamiento del peso, la talla y el factor de condición de los organismos es importante para explicar la dinámica de las poblaciones de organismos en el medio natural. El presente estudio está dirigido a encontrar los modelos que explican la relación longitud-peso, así como el factor de condición relativo en postlarvas epibentónicas y juveniles de Farfantepenaeus duorarum, recolectados durante los diferentes meses muestreados. En el trabajo se recolectaron 3 992 camarones de la especie F. duorarum con rangos de longitud del cefalotórax entre 3.62-32.16 mm, provenientes de tres sitios diferentes de la Laguna de Términos, entre los meses de mayo 2011 y marzo 2012. Los individuos fueron agrupados en tres categorías según el sexo: machos (M), hembras (H), e indefinidos (I) y se determinó la relación longitud peso (L-P-1), relación longitud total (LT)-longitud del cefalotórax (LC), así como el factor de condición relativo (Kn). Los resultados indican que la relación longitud total-longitud del cefalotórax (LT-LC) para cada categoría de sexo fue lineal y que no existe diferencia entre el modelo de regresión encontrado para machos y para hembras quedando expresado como: (LT (M-H) = 1.89 + 4.46 LC). Para el grupo con sexo indefinido la relación fue diferente al resto de los camarones y puede ser expresado como LT (I) = 0.07 + 4.62 LC. El modelo potencial para expresar la relación (L-P-1) en el grupo M-H es P = 0.0016 LC2.5323 o expresado de manera lineal como log (P) = 2.5323 log(LC) - 2.8079, con R² = 0.9272. En el grupo indefinido el modelo potencial es P = 0.0004LC3.2315 y el de manera lineal, log (P) = 3.2315 log(LC) - 3.4365, con R2= 0.9422. Por otro lado, el factor de condición relativa (Kn) difirió entre los grupos cuando se incluye a la fecha en el análisis. Se considera que el factor de condición relativo que contempla a la longitud total es mejor que el factor de condición relativo obtenido con la longitud del cefalotórax para evaluar las características de los camarones y pudiera contribuir para evaluar la dinámica de la población de camarones.

The knowledge about the weight, length and condition factor of the organisms is key for explaining the population dynamics in wild animals. The present study was focused on finding the model that best explains the length-weight relationships in epibenthic and juveniles of Farfantepenaeus duorarum, as well as the condition factor during the different months sampled. In the study, 3 992 individuals (size range: 3.62-32.16 mm cephalothorax length) were collected from three different places at the Terminos Lagoon from May 2011 to March 2012. The individuals were grouped into three sex categories: male (M), female (H), and undefined (I), and their length-weight (L-P-1) relationship, as well as their relative condition factor, were determined. The results indicate that the total length-carapace length (LT-LC) relationship for each sex category was linear, there was no difference between the models for small males and females and the relationship can be expressed as (LT (M-H) = 1.89 + 4.46 LC). For the undefined group, the relationship was different and is best expressed as LT (I) = 0.07 + 4.62 LC. The potential model for the expression of Carapace Length-Weight in the M-H group was P = 0.0016 LC2.5323 or log (P) = 2.5323 log(LC) - 2.8079, R² = 0.9272 in the linear model. In the undefined group, the potential model was W = P = 0.0004LC3.2315 and the linear model was log (P) = 3.2315 log(LC) - 3.4365, R2 = 0.9422. On the other hand, the relative condition factor (Kn) differed among groups when the date was involved in the analysis. We consider that relative condition factor involving Total Length is better than relative condition factor including Carapace Length to measure population characteristics of shrimps and that index could contribute to evaluating the shrimp population dynamics.

Distribution of antibiotics in alluvial sediment near animal breeding areas at the Jianghan Plain, Central China.

Antibiotics are increasingly detected in groundwater, but little is known about their presence in deep underground sediments. In this study, underground sediment samples were collected from pig farms, chicken houses, fishponds and riverbanks in a small region of the Jianghan Plain. Sixteen antibiotics were detected in different layers of sediments in various animal-breeding areas, with the riverbank containing the most pollution, followed by the fishpond, then the pig farm and the least being the chicken house. Samples taken from different sections of the collection sites and tested for each antibiotic compound revealed significant pollution, with the riverbank containing the most pollution, followed by the fishpond, then the pig farm and the least being the chicken house. The concentrations of the targets did not decrease with depth, but increased between 0.6 m and 1.0 m, which was a significant fluctuation. The aquifer sediment analysis indicated that the greatest antibiotic retention was within 8 m, with a small increase between 12 and 16 m, consistent with the depth of sandy aquifer layers. None of the compounds were detected in the deep layer at 20 m but for sulfadiazine and chlorotetracycline. Tetracyclines and Fluoroquinolones were the two groups observed at higher concentrations in most sediment layers, although their residual levels no more than 20 ng g-1. This study revealed that antibiotics generally exist in the underground environment, along with groundwater migration and particle adsorption. The pollution of antibiotics in alluvial sediments is an immense challenge to groundwater remediation, and its environmental effects should be studied.

New classification of natural breeding habitats for Neotropical anophelines in the Yanomami Indian Reserve, Amazon Region, Brazil and a new larval sampling methodology

Here we present the first in a series of articles about the ecology of immature stages of anophelines in the Brazilian Yanomami area. We propose a new larval habitat classification and a new larval sampling methodology. We also report some preliminary results illustrating the applicability of the methodology based on data collected in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest in a longitudinal study of two remote Yanomami communities, Parafuri and Toototobi. In these areas, we mapped and classified 112 natural breeding habitats located in low-order river systems based on their association with river flood pulses, seasonality and exposure to sun. Our classification rendered seven types of larval habitats: lakes associated with the river, which are subdivided into oxbow lakes and nonoxbow lakes, flooded areas associated with the river, flooded areas not associated with the river, rainfall pools, small forest streams, medium forest streams and rivers. The methodology for larval sampling was based on the accurate quantification of the effective breeding area, taking into account the area of the perimeter and subtypes of microenvironments present per larval habitat type using a laser range finder and a small portable inflatable boat. The new classification and new sampling methodology proposed herein may be useful in vector control programs.

Underwater topography determines critical breeding habitat for humpback whales near Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: implications for Marine Protected Areas

Migrating humpback whales from northern and southern feeding grounds come to the tropical waters near Osa Peninsula, Pacific of Costa Rica, to reproduce and raise their calves. Planning effective marine protected areas that encompass humpback critical habitats require data about which oceanographic features influence distribution during the breeding period. This study examines the relationship between water depth and ocean floor slope with humpback whale distribution, based on sightings during two breeding seasons (2005 and 2006). Data are from the Southern and Northern subpopulations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Analysis followed the basic principles of the Ecological Niche Factors Analysis (ENFA), where indices of Marginality and Tolerance provide insights on the restrictiveness of habitat use. At a fine scale, physical factors such as water depth and slope define the critical breeding and nursing habitat for M. novaeangliae. Divergence in the subsamples means of depths and slope distribution, with the global mean of the study area in both eco-geographical variables, determine habitat requirements restricted by topographic features such as depths (< 100 m) and slope (< 10%), and locate the key breeding and nursing habitat of the species within the continental shelf domains. Proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) network plans should consider connectivity of Caño island-Drake Bay and the extension of Corcovado National Park maritime borders. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (2): 591-602. Epub 2008 June 30.

Las ballenas jorobadas viajan a aguas tropicales para reproducirse y criar a sus ballenatos. Es importante entender las características oceanográficas que influencian su distribución para lograr una planificación efectiva de áreas marinas protegidas con hábitats críticos para estos cetáceos. Este estudio examina la relación entre la profundidad, la pendiente del suelo oceánico y la distribución de estas ballenas, usando avistamientos del 2005 y 2006 en la costa Pacífica de la Península de Osa, Costa Rica (temporada de reproducción del sur y norte en el Pacífico Tropical Oriental). Usamos Análisis de Factores de Nicho Ecológico (ENFA por sus siglas en inglés), donde los índices de Marginalidad y Tolerancia ilustran las restricciones en uso de hábitat. En una escala local, factores físicos como la profundidad y la pendiente definen el hábitat crítico de reproducción y cría de M. novaeangliae. Las divergencias entre las medias de las sub-muestras y la media global del área de estudio en ambas variables eco-geográficas, determinan las limitaciones en requerimientos de hábitat en aspectos topográficos como la profundidad (>100 m) y la pendiente del fondo (>10%), localizando los hábitat críticos para reproducción y cría dentro de la plataforma continental. Los planes y propuestas para un sistema de áreas marinas protegidas deben de considerar la conectividad de la isla del Caño y la Bahía de Drake, así como la extensión de los límites marinos del Parque Nacional Corcovado.