Marine mammals from the southern North Sea: feeding ecology data from delta C-13 and delta N-15 measurements

in Marine Ecology. Progress Series (2003), 263

The harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, grey seal Halichoerus grypus, harbour seal Phoca vitulina and white-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris are regularly found stranded along southern North Sea ... [more ▼]

The harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, grey seal Halichoerus grypus, harbour seal Phoca vitulina and white-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris are regularly found stranded along southern North Sea coasts. Occasionally, offshore species such as the fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, the white-sided dolphin L. acutus and the sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus are also found stranded. In order to trace their diet, we measured delta(13)C and delta(15)N in their muscles as well as in 49 invertebrate and fish species collected from the southern North Sea. The delta(15)N data indicate that the harbour seal, grey seal and white-beaked dolphin occupy the highest trophic position, along with ichtyophageous fishes such as the cod Gadus morhua (mean muscle values of 18.7, 17.9, 18.8 and 19.2parts per thousand respectively). The harbour porpoise occupies a slightly lower trophic position (mean delta(15)N value of 16.2parts per thousand), reflecting a higher amount of zooplanktivorous fishes in its diet (mean delta(15)N of 14.7parts per thousand); 2 suckling harbour porpoises displayed a significant delta(15)N enrichment of 2.2parts per thousand compared to adult females. Adult females are delta(15)N-enriched compared to adult male harbour porpoises. Fin whales, sperm whales and white-sided dolphins are C-13-depleted compared to southern North Sea particulate organic matter and species, suggesting that despite regular sightings, they do not feed within the southern North Sea area. [less ▲]

Marine predators as sentinels for our oceans and human health

Conference (2011, November 08)

“During the course of the 20th century, the planet became and is now chemically different from any previous time”. (1) Organic and inorganic chemicals occur in greater abundance because of human activity ... [more ▼]

“During the course of the 20th century, the planet became and is now chemically different from any previous time”. (1) Organic and inorganic chemicals occur in greater abundance because of human activity and end up in the ocean. As more humans inhabit coastal regions, question arises about the health of our oceans. Marine vertebrates such as marine fish, turtles, birds and mammals are used to get early warning about negative trends and impact linked to anthropogenic activities. Such organisms are qualified as sentinel species (2). In turn, sentinels will permit us to better characterize and potentially manage negative impacts on human and animal health associated with our oceans. Marine predators including marine mammals and birds can present elevated concentrations of these organic and inorganic chemicals in their tissues, due to their high position in the trophic chain, their life span, and their fat store in which lipophilic chemicals accumulate. Humans and marine predators share common routes of exposures such as (1) the maternal transfer through placenta and milk and (2) trophic transfer through ingestion of marine fish and shellfish. Furthermore, some human population rely on marine mammal consumption for subsistence. Marine predators offer a snapshot of ocean health that could potentially impact human health. In the hope that this paper will stimulate the research much needed for assessing ocean health in the context of a rapidly changing environment, we provide here a review of (i) levels and trends of contaminants and relationships with biotic and abiotic factors, (ii) toxicological effects and (iii) spatial and geographical trends in tissues of marine predators. We conclude this communication by presenting several necessary perspectives such a more thorough follow of organic and inorganic pollutants in the marine environment including the use of isotopic tracers to assess the local versus global aspects of marine pollution. (1) Reddy, C. M., Stegeman, J. J. & Hahn, M. E. in Oceans and human Health (eds P.J. Walsh et al.) 121-144 (Academic Press, 2008). (2) Bossart G.D. (2011). Vet. Path. 48:676-690. [less ▲]

Marine vertebrate remains from the Toarcian-Aalenian succession of southern Beaujolais, Rhône, France

in Geological Magazine (in press)

A previously undocumented marine vertebrate fauna comprising ichthyosaur, plesiosaur, marine crocodilian and fish remains from the Toarcian-Aalenian succession at Lafarge quarry, southern Beaujolais ... [more ▼]

A previously undocumented marine vertebrate fauna comprising ichthyosaur, plesiosaur, marine crocodilian and fish remains from the Toarcian-Aalenian succession at Lafarge quarry, southern Beaujolais, Rhône, France is described on the basis of both historical collections and new discoveries. The taxonomic composition of the Lafarge quarry marine vertebrate assemblage highlights its cosmopolitan nature and strong relationships with taxa known from elsewhere in Europe. Several groups are recorded for the first time in the Toarcian-Aalenian succession of France, implying new palaeobiogeographic interpretations, and prompting discussion of marine amniote diversity during this interval. [less ▲]

Mario Vargas Llosa, l'éternel révolté

in Revue des Questions Scientifiques (2011), 182(1-2), 147-153

Die Marionettentheaterkompanie "Carlo Colla e Figli"

in Das Andere Theater (2011), 21(79), 16-19

Mariposas de Madrid : Los narradores italianos y la guerra civil española

Book published by Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza (2009)

Marital Satisfaction in Couples with an Alcoholic Husband

in Journal of Family Violence (2011), 26

Both members of 15 heterosexual couples with an alcoholic husband (AC) and of 15 matched couples with healthy members (HC) filled out first, the Marital Adjustment Test (Locke & Wallace, 1959), second ... [more ▼]

Both members of 15 heterosexual couples with an alcoholic husband (AC) and of 15 matched couples with healthy members (HC) filled out first, the Marital Adjustment Test (Locke & Wallace, 1959), second, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (Coopersmith, 1967), and finally, a questionnaire on emotional feeling state in which the participant had to evaluate his or her own emotions and the emotions experienced by his or her partner. Results showed that both AC members reported lower marital satisfaction and a lower level of self-esteem than HC members. Furthermore, they were less congruent with their partner regarding the evaluation of their partner’s emotional feeling states (EFS). These deficits could have repercussions on marital happiness, which itself would have repercussions on the alcoholic’s treatment. [less ▲]

Marital satisfaction, emotion and mental health in parents of child with autism spectrum disorder

Poster (2009, September 18)

Marker genes in farm animals.

in Biotechnology in animal husbandry (2001)

Marker vaccines and the impact of their use on diagnosis and prophylactic measures

in Revue Scientifique et Technique-Office International des Epizooties (2007), 26(2), 351-372

Molecular biology and technical advances in DNA recombination have ushered in a new era in vaccinology. This article examines the recent development of specific marker vaccines and examines the impact of ... [more ▼]

Molecular biology and technical advances in DNA recombination have ushered in a new era in vaccinology. This article examines the recent development of specific marker vaccines and examines the impact of their use on the diagnosis and prevention of major infectious diseases. Gene-deleted vaccines, DIVA strategies (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) and similar methods have been successfully applied in the control and eradication of Aujeszky's disease, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, classical swine fever, foot and mouth disease and, recently, avian influenza. The efficacy and performance of existing marker vaccines and their companion diagnostic tools (which should be assesed by an independent body) are discussed, as are the ways in which these tools are deployed by competent authorities. The limits and the advantages of the use of marker vaccines are carefully analysed in the light of practical experiences. Although these vaccines can limit the speed and the extent of virus dissemination and thus reduce the number of animals slaughtered, marker vaccines are no substitute for sanitary measures. Early detection and warning systems and the quick implementation of sanitary measures, including stamping out, remain key issues in the control of highly contagious diseases. [less ▲]