PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: Effect of elevated temperature on membrane lipid saturation in Antarctic notothenioid fish
items: Tetrapod tracks in Permo–Triassic eolian beds of southern Brazil (Paraná Basin)
items: Diet breadth and exploitation of exotic plants shift the core microbiome of Cephaloleia, a group of tropical herbivorous beetles
items: The effect of climate change on the distribution of a tropical zoanthid (Palythoa caribaeorum) and its ecological implications
items: https://peerj.com/articles/4751
items: Citizen science data suggest that a novel rig improves landing rate and reduces injury and handling time in recreational angling with artificial lures in Baltic pike (Esox lucius)
items: Perinatal specimens of Maiasaura from the Upper Cretaceous of Montana (USA): insights into the early ontogeny of saurolophine hadrosaurid dinosaurs
items: Comparing the catch composition, profitability and discard survival from different trammel net designs targeting common spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) in a Mediterranean fishery
items: Identification and expression analysis of cytokinin metabolic genes IPTs, CYP735A and CKXs in the biofuel plant Jatropha curcas
items: Geographical variation in colour of female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Effect of elevated temperature on membrane lipid saturation in Antarctic notothenioid fish
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Homeoviscous adaptation (HVA) is a key cellular response by which fish protect their membranes against thermal stress. We investigated evolutionary HVA (long time scale) in Antarctic and non-Antarctic fish. Membrane lipid composition was determined for four Perciformes fish: two closely related Antarctic notothenioid species (Trematomus bernacchii and Pagothenia borchgrevinki); a diversified related notothenioid Antarctic icefish (Chionodraco hamatus); and a New Zealand species (Notolabrus celidotus). The membrane lipid compositions were consistent across the three Antarctic species and these were significantly different from that of the New Zealand species. Furthermore, acclimatory HVA (short time periods with seasonal changes) was investigated to determine whether stenothermal Antarctic fish, which evolved in the cold, stable environment of the Southern Ocean, have lost the acclimatory capacity to modulate their membrane saturation states, making them vulnerable to anthropogenic global warming. We compared liver membrane lipid composition in two closely related Antarctic fish species acclimated at 0 °C (control temperature), 4 °C for a period of 14 days in T. bernacchii and 28 days for P. borchgrevinki, and 6 °C for 7 days in both species. Thermal acclimation at 4 °C did not result in changed membrane saturation states in either Antarctic species. Despite this, membrane functions were not compromised, as indicated by declining serum osmolality, implying positive compensation by enhanced hypo-osmoregulation. Increasing the temperature to 6 °C did not change the membrane lipids of P. borchgrevinki. However, in T. bernacchii, thermal acclimation at 6 °C resulted in an increase of membrane saturated fatty acids and a decline in unsaturated fatty acids. This is the first study to show a homeoviscous response to higher temperatures in an Antarctic fish, although for only one of the two species examined.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Vanita C. Malekar
creator: James D. Morton
creator: Richard N. Hider
creator: Robert H. Cruickshank
creator: Simon Hodge
creator: Victoria J. Metcalf
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Biochemistry
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Aquatic and Marine Chemistry
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4765
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Malekar et al.
abstract: Homeoviscous adaptation (HVA) is a key cellular response by which fish protect their membranes against thermal stress. We investigated evolutionary HVA (long time scale) in Antarctic and non-Antarctic fish. Membrane lipid composition was determined for four Perciformes fish: two closely related Antarctic notothenioid species (Trematomus bernacchii and Pagothenia borchgrevinki); a diversified related notothenioid Antarctic icefish (Chionodraco hamatus); and a New Zealand species (Notolabrus celidotus). The membrane lipid compositions were consistent across the three Antarctic species and these were significantly different from that of the New Zealand species. Furthermore, acclimatory HVA (short time periods with seasonal changes) was investigated to determine whether stenothermal Antarctic fish, which evolved in the cold, stable environment of the Southern Ocean, have lost the acclimatory capacity to modulate their membrane saturation states, making them vulnerable to anthropogenic global warming. We compared liver membrane lipid composition in two closely related Antarctic fish species acclimated at 0 °C (control temperature), 4 °C for a period of 14 days in T. bernacchii and 28 days for P. borchgrevinki, and 6 °C for 7 days in both species. Thermal acclimation at 4 °C did not result in changed membrane saturation states in either Antarctic species. Despite this, membrane functions were not compromised, as indicated by declining serum osmolality, implying positive compensation by enhanced hypo-osmoregulation. Increasing the temperature to 6 °C did not change the membrane lipids of P. borchgrevinki. However, in T. bernacchii, thermal acclimation at 6 °C resulted in an increase of membrane saturated fatty acids and a decline in unsaturated fatty acids. This is the first study to show a homeoviscous response to higher temperatures in an Antarctic fish, although for only one of the two species examined.
bibliographic citation: Malekar et al. (2018) Effect of elevated temperature on membrane lipid saturation in Antarctic notothenioid fish. PeerJ 6:e4765 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4765
date submitted: 2018-01-30
date accepted: 2018-04-23
issued: 2018-05-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Malekar
  given name: Vanita C.
author list: Agent
  family name: Morton
  given name: James D.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hider
  given name: Richard N.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cruickshank
  given name: Robert H.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hodge
  given name: Simon
author list: Agent
  family name: Metcalf
  given name: Victoria J.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4765
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-18
copyright: © 2018 Malekar et al.
attribution name: Malekar et al.

Tetrapod tracks in Permo–Triassic eolian beds of southern Brazil (Paraná Basin)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Tetrapod tracks in eolianites are widespread in the fossil record since the late Paleozoic. Among these ichnofaunas, the ichnogenus Chelichnus is the most representative of the Permian tetrapod ichnological record of eolian deposits of Europe, North America and South America, where the Chelichnus Ichnofacies often occurs. In this contribution, we describe five sets of tracks (one of which is preserved in cross-section), representing the first occurrence of Dicynodontipus and Chelichnus in the “Pirambóia Formation” of southern Brazil. This unit represents a humid desert in southwestern Pangea and its lower and upper contacts lead us to consider its age as Lopingian–Induan. The five sets of tracks studied were compared with several ichnotaxa and body fossils with appendicular elements preserved, allowing us to attribute these tracks to dicynodonts and other indeterminate therapsids. Even though the “Pirambóia Formation” track record is sparse and sub-optimally preserved, it is an important key to better understand the occupation of arid environments by tetrapods across the Permo–Triassic boundary.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Heitor Francischini
creator: Paula Dentzien-Dias
creator: Spencer G. Lucas
creator: Cesar L. Schultz
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
subject: Climate Change Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4764
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Francischini et al.
abstract: Tetrapod tracks in eolianites are widespread in the fossil record since the late Paleozoic. Among these ichnofaunas, the ichnogenus Chelichnus is the most representative of the Permian tetrapod ichnological record of eolian deposits of Europe, North America and South America, where the Chelichnus Ichnofacies often occurs. In this contribution, we describe five sets of tracks (one of which is preserved in cross-section), representing the first occurrence of Dicynodontipus and Chelichnus in the “Pirambóia Formation” of southern Brazil. This unit represents a humid desert in southwestern Pangea and its lower and upper contacts lead us to consider its age as Lopingian–Induan. The five sets of tracks studied were compared with several ichnotaxa and body fossils with appendicular elements preserved, allowing us to attribute these tracks to dicynodonts and other indeterminate therapsids. Even though the “Pirambóia Formation” track record is sparse and sub-optimally preserved, it is an important key to better understand the occupation of arid environments by tetrapods across the Permo–Triassic boundary.
bibliographic citation: Francischini et al. (2018) Tetrapod tracks in Permo–Triassic eolian beds of southern Brazil (Paraná Basin). PeerJ 6:e4764 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4764
date submitted: 2018-02-15
date accepted: 2018-04-23
issued: 2018-05-18
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Francischini
  given name: Heitor
author list: Agent
  family name: Dentzien-Dias
  given name: Paula
author list: Agent
  family name: Lucas
  given name: Spencer G.
author list: Agent
  family name: Schultz
  given name: Cesar L.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4764
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-18
copyright: © 2018 Francischini et al.
attribution name: Francischini et al.

Diet breadth and exploitation of exotic plants shift the core microbiome of Cephaloleia, a group of tropical herbivorous beetles
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The beetle genus Cephaloleia has evolved in association with tropical ginger plants and for many species their specific host plant associations are known. Here we show that the core microbiome of six closely related Costa Rican Cephaloleia species comprises only eight bacterial groups, including members of the Acinetobacter, Enterobacteriacea, Pseudomonas, Lactococcus, and Comamonas. The Acinetobacter and Enterobacteriacea together accounted for 35% of the total average 16S rRNA ribotypes recovered from all specimens. Further, microbiome diversity and community structure was significantly linked to beetle diet breadth, between those foraging on less than two plant types (specialists) versus over nine plant types (generalists). Moraxellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae were highly prevalent in specialist species, and also present in eggs, while Rickettsiaceae associated exclusively with generalist beetles. Bacteria isolated from Cephaloleia digestive systems had distinct capabilities and suggested a possible beneficial role in both digestion of plant-based compounds, including xylose, mannitol, and pectin, and possible detoxification, via lipases. Cephaloleia species are currently expanding their diets to include exotic invasive plants, yet it is unknown whether their microbial community plays a role in this transition. In this study, colonization of invasive plants was correlated with a dysbiosis of the microbiome, suggesting a possible relationship between gut bacteria and niche adaptation.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Chelsea L. Blankenchip
creator: Dana E. Michels
creator: H. Elizabeth Braker
creator: Shana K. Goffredi
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Entomology
subject: Microbiology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4793
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Blankenchip et al.
abstract: The beetle genus Cephaloleia has evolved in association with tropical ginger plants and for many species their specific host plant associations are known. Here we show that the core microbiome of six closely related Costa Rican Cephaloleia species comprises only eight bacterial groups, including members of the Acinetobacter, Enterobacteriacea, Pseudomonas, Lactococcus, and Comamonas. The Acinetobacter and Enterobacteriacea together accounted for 35% of the total average 16S rRNA ribotypes recovered from all specimens. Further, microbiome diversity and community structure was significantly linked to beetle diet breadth, between those foraging on less than two plant types (specialists) versus over nine plant types (generalists). Moraxellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae were highly prevalent in specialist species, and also present in eggs, while Rickettsiaceae associated exclusively with generalist beetles. Bacteria isolated from Cephaloleia digestive systems had distinct capabilities and suggested a possible beneficial role in both digestion of plant-based compounds, including xylose, mannitol, and pectin, and possible detoxification, via lipases. Cephaloleia species are currently expanding their diets to include exotic invasive plants, yet it is unknown whether their microbial community plays a role in this transition. In this study, colonization of invasive plants was correlated with a dysbiosis of the microbiome, suggesting a possible relationship between gut bacteria and niche adaptation.
bibliographic citation: Blankenchip et al. (2018) Diet breadth and exploitation of exotic plants shift the core microbiome of Cephaloleia, a group of tropical herbivorous beetles. PeerJ 6:e4793 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4793
date submitted: 2018-03-12
date accepted: 2018-04-29
issued: 2018-05-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Blankenchip
  given name: Chelsea L.
author list: Agent
  family name: Michels
  given name: Dana E.
author list: Agent
  family name: Braker
  given name: H. Elizabeth
author list: Agent
  family name: Goffredi
  given name: Shana K.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4793
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-17
copyright: © 2018 Blankenchip et al.
attribution name: Blankenchip et al.

The effect of climate change on the distribution of a tropical zoanthid (Palythoa caribaeorum) and its ecological implications
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Palythoa caribaeorum is a zoanthid often dominant in shallow rocky environments along the west coast of the Atlantic Ocean, from the tropics to the subtropics. This species has high environmental tolerance and is a good space competitor in reef environments. Considering current and future scenarios in the global climate regime, this study aimed to model and analyze the distribution of P. caribaeorum, generating maps of potential distribution for the present and the year 2100. The distribution was modeled using maximum entropy (Maxent) based on 327 occurrence sites retrieved from the literature. Calcite concentration, maximum chlorophyll-a concentration, salinity, pH, and temperature range yielded a model with the smallest Akaike information criterion (2649.8), and were used in the present and future distribution model. Data from the HadGEM2-ES climate model were used to generate the projections for the year 2100. The present distribution of P. caribaeorum shows that parts of the Brazilian coast, Caribbean Sea, and Florida are suitable regions for the species, as they are characterized by high salinity and pH and small temperature variation. An expansion of the species’ distribution was forecast northward under mild climate scenarios, while a decrease of suitable areas was forecast in the south. In the climate scenario with the most intense changes, P. caribaeorum would lose one-half of its suitable habitats, including the northernmost and southernmost areas of its distribution. The Caribbean Sea and northeastern Brazil, as well as other places under the influence of coastal upwellings, may serve as potential havens for this species.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Leonardo M. Durante
creator: Igor C.S. Cruz
creator: Tito M.C. Lotufo
subject: Biogeography
subject: Ecology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4777
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Durante et al.
abstract: Palythoa caribaeorum is a zoanthid often dominant in shallow rocky environments along the west coast of the Atlantic Ocean, from the tropics to the subtropics. This species has high environmental tolerance and is a good space competitor in reef environments. Considering current and future scenarios in the global climate regime, this study aimed to model and analyze the distribution of P. caribaeorum, generating maps of potential distribution for the present and the year 2100. The distribution was modeled using maximum entropy (Maxent) based on 327 occurrence sites retrieved from the literature. Calcite concentration, maximum chlorophyll-a concentration, salinity, pH, and temperature range yielded a model with the smallest Akaike information criterion (2649.8), and were used in the present and future distribution model. Data from the HadGEM2-ES climate model were used to generate the projections for the year 2100. The present distribution of P. caribaeorum shows that parts of the Brazilian coast, Caribbean Sea, and Florida are suitable regions for the species, as they are characterized by high salinity and pH and small temperature variation. An expansion of the species’ distribution was forecast northward under mild climate scenarios, while a decrease of suitable areas was forecast in the south. In the climate scenario with the most intense changes, P. caribaeorum would lose one-half of its suitable habitats, including the northernmost and southernmost areas of its distribution. The Caribbean Sea and northeastern Brazil, as well as other places under the influence of coastal upwellings, may serve as potential havens for this species.
bibliographic citation: Durante et al. (2018) The effect of climate change on the distribution of a tropical zoanthid (Palythoa caribaeorum) and its ecological implications. PeerJ 6:e4777 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4777
date submitted: 2018-02-22
date accepted: 2018-04-26
issued: 2018-05-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Durante
  given name: Leonardo M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Cruz
  given name: Igor C.S.
author list: Agent
  family name: Lotufo
  given name: Tito M.C.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4777
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-17
copyright: ©2018 Durante et al.
attribution name: Durante et al.

https://peerj.com/articles/4751
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
title: Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) feeding behavior on static fishing gear, effect of SMART (Selective Magnetic and Repellent-Treated) hook deterrent technology, and factors influencing entanglement in bottom longlines
description: The Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is the most common bycatch in the Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) bottom longline fishery in Cumberland Sound, Canada. Historically, this inshore fishery has been prosecuted through the ice during winter but winter storms and unpredictable landfast ice conditions since the mid-1990s have led to interest in developing a summer fishery during the ice-free season. However, bycatch of Greenland shark was found to increase substantially with 570 sharks captured during an experimental Greenland halibut summer fishery (i.e., mean of 6.3 sharks per 1,000 hooks set) and mortality was reported to be about 50% due in part to fishers killing sharks that were severely entangled in longline gear. This study investigated whether the SMART (Selective Magnetic and Repellent-Treated) hook technology is a practical deterrent to Greenland shark predation and subsequent bycatch on bottom longlines. Greenland shark feeding behavior, feeding kinematics, and variables affecting entanglement/disentanglement and release are also described. The SMART hook failed to deter Greenland shark predation, i.e., all sharks were captured on SMART hooks, some with more than one SMART hook in their jaw. Moreover, recently captured Greenland sharks did not exhibit a behavioral response to SMART hooks. In situ observations of Greenland shark feeding show that this species uses a powerful inertial suction mode of feeding and was able to draw bait into the mouth from a distance of 25–35 cm. This method of feeding is suggested to negate the potential deterrent effects of electropositive metal and magnetic alloy substitutions to the SMART hook technology. The number of hooks entangled by a Greenland shark and time to disentangle and live-release a shark was found to increase with body length.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Scott M. Grant
creator: Rennie Sullivan
creator: Kevin J. Hedges
subject: Animal Behavior
subject: Conservation Biology
subject: Marine Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4751
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Grant et al.
abstract: The Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is the most common bycatch in the Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) bottom longline fishery in Cumberland Sound, Canada. Historically, this inshore fishery has been prosecuted through the ice during winter but winter storms and unpredictable landfast ice conditions since the mid-1990s have led to interest in developing a summer fishery during the ice-free season. However, bycatch of Greenland shark was found to increase substantially with 570 sharks captured during an experimental Greenland halibut summer fishery (i.e., mean of 6.3 sharks per 1,000 hooks set) and mortality was reported to be about 50% due in part to fishers killing sharks that were severely entangled in longline gear. This study investigated whether the SMART (Selective Magnetic and Repellent-Treated) hook technology is a practical deterrent to Greenland shark predation and subsequent bycatch on bottom longlines. Greenland shark feeding behavior, feeding kinematics, and variables affecting entanglement/disentanglement and release are also described. The SMART hook failed to deter Greenland shark predation, i.e., all sharks were captured on SMART hooks, some with more than one SMART hook in their jaw. Moreover, recently captured Greenland sharks did not exhibit a behavioral response to SMART hooks. In situ observations of Greenland shark feeding show that this species uses a powerful inertial suction mode of feeding and was able to draw bait into the mouth from a distance of 25–35 cm. This method of feeding is suggested to negate the potential deterrent effects of electropositive metal and magnetic alloy substitutions to the SMART hook technology. The number of hooks entangled by a Greenland shark and time to disentangle and live-release a shark was found to increase with body length.
bibliographic citation: Grant et al. (2018) Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) feeding behavior on static fishing gear, effect of SMART (Selective Magnetic and Repellent-Treated) hook deterrent technology, and factors influencing entanglement in bottom longlines. PeerJ 6:e4751 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4751
date submitted: 2017-12-01
date accepted: 2018-04-22
issued: 2018-05-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Grant
  given name: Scott M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Sullivan
  given name: Rennie
author list: Agent
  family name: Hedges
  given name: Kevin J.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4751
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-17
copyright: © 2018 Grant et al.
attribution name: Grant et al.

Citizen science data suggest that a novel rig improves landing rate and reduces injury and handling time in recreational angling with artificial lures in Baltic pike (Esox lucius)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The optimal terminal gear in hook-and-line recreational fishing maximizes landing rates and minimizes injury to the fish because some fish will be released after capture. We designed a novel rig configuration in artificial lure fishing for top predators and examined its effectiveness in angling for Baltic northern pike (Esox lucius) using a citizen science approach based on observational data collected from volunteer anglers in the field. The novel rig included two changes to traditional rig designs common to artificial lure angling. First, hooks were mounted in a way giving better hook exposure and eliminating lever-arm effects from the lure to the hooks once a fish is hooked. This construction allowed the second change, being a shift to hooks 4–5 sizes smaller than those used on traditional hook mounts. We analysed observational data collected by volunteer anglers using either the novel rig or a standard rig mount in two types of artificial lures (softbait and hardbait) of the same size (about 17 cm). Using N = 768 pike contacts as input data, we showed the landing rates of pike targeted with artificial lures significantly and substantially increased from 45% with normal-rigs to 85% when the same lure types were fished with the novel rig configuration. Lure type and water temperature had no effects on landing rates. Moreover, hardbaits on normal-rigs produced significantly more injury, bleeding and elevated unhooking time compared to fish captured on hardbaits with release-rigs. We conclude that simple changes to traditional hook sizes and mounts in lure fishing may benefit both anglers and the fishes that are to be released and that citizen science projects with volunteer anglers are able to provide good data in proof-of-concept studies. Further experimental studies are needed to differentiate hook size from hook mount effects because both variables were confounded in the results of the observational data presented here.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jens Jakob Bursell
creator: Robert Arlinghaus
subject: Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Natural Resource Management
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4744
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Bursell and Arlinghaus
abstract: The optimal terminal gear in hook-and-line recreational fishing maximizes landing rates and minimizes injury to the fish because some fish will be released after capture. We designed a novel rig configuration in artificial lure fishing for top predators and examined its effectiveness in angling for Baltic northern pike (Esox lucius) using a citizen science approach based on observational data collected from volunteer anglers in the field. The novel rig included two changes to traditional rig designs common to artificial lure angling. First, hooks were mounted in a way giving better hook exposure and eliminating lever-arm effects from the lure to the hooks once a fish is hooked. This construction allowed the second change, being a shift to hooks 4–5 sizes smaller than those used on traditional hook mounts. We analysed observational data collected by volunteer anglers using either the novel rig or a standard rig mount in two types of artificial lures (softbait and hardbait) of the same size (about 17 cm). Using N = 768 pike contacts as input data, we showed the landing rates of pike targeted with artificial lures significantly and substantially increased from 45% with normal-rigs to 85% when the same lure types were fished with the novel rig configuration. Lure type and water temperature had no effects on landing rates. Moreover, hardbaits on normal-rigs produced significantly more injury, bleeding and elevated unhooking time compared to fish captured on hardbaits with release-rigs. We conclude that simple changes to traditional hook sizes and mounts in lure fishing may benefit both anglers and the fishes that are to be released and that citizen science projects with volunteer anglers are able to provide good data in proof-of-concept studies. Further experimental studies are needed to differentiate hook size from hook mount effects because both variables were confounded in the results of the observational data presented here.
bibliographic citation: Bursell et al. (2018) Citizen science data suggest that a novel rig improves landing rate and reduces injury and handling time in recreational angling with artificial lures in Baltic pike (Esox lucius). PeerJ 6:e4744 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4744
date submitted: 2018-02-01
date accepted: 2018-04-19
issued: 2018-05-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Bursell
  given name: Jens Jakob
author list: Agent
  family name: Arlinghaus
  given name: Robert
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4744
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-17
copyright: ©2018 Bursell and Arlinghaus
attribution name: Bursell and Arlinghaus

Perinatal specimens of Maiasaura from the Upper Cretaceous of Montana (USA): insights into the early ontogeny of saurolophine hadrosaurid dinosaurs
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Perinatal specimens of hadrosaurids discovered in the late 1970’s by field crews from Princeton University were significant in providing evidence of the early ontogenetic stages in North American dinosaurs. These specimens from the Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Two Medicine Formation of Montana consist of over a dozen skeletons referable to the saurolophine hadrosaurid Maiasaura peeblesorum, but never fully figured or described. Here, we provide a more complete documentation of the morphology of these specimens, along with an examination of variation during a large span of the development of saurolophine hadrosaurids. Many ontogenetic changes in the available facial and mandibular elements are associated with the progressive elongation of the preorbital region of the skull and mandible. In the postcranium, limb bones change nearly isometrically, with exception of certain elements of the forelimb. Some cranial and postcranial characters commonly used for inferring hadrosaurid phylogenetic relationships remain invariable during the ontogeny of M. peeblesorum. This indicates that early ontogenetic stages may still provide a limited amount of character information useful for systematics and phylogenetic inference.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Albert Prieto-Marquez
creator: Merrilee F. Guenther
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4734
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Prieto-Marquez and Guenther
abstract: Perinatal specimens of hadrosaurids discovered in the late 1970’s by field crews from Princeton University were significant in providing evidence of the early ontogenetic stages in North American dinosaurs. These specimens from the Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Two Medicine Formation of Montana consist of over a dozen skeletons referable to the saurolophine hadrosaurid Maiasaura peeblesorum, but never fully figured or described. Here, we provide a more complete documentation of the morphology of these specimens, along with an examination of variation during a large span of the development of saurolophine hadrosaurids. Many ontogenetic changes in the available facial and mandibular elements are associated with the progressive elongation of the preorbital region of the skull and mandible. In the postcranium, limb bones change nearly isometrically, with exception of certain elements of the forelimb. Some cranial and postcranial characters commonly used for inferring hadrosaurid phylogenetic relationships remain invariable during the ontogeny of M. peeblesorum. This indicates that early ontogenetic stages may still provide a limited amount of character information useful for systematics and phylogenetic inference.
bibliographic citation: Prieto-Marquez et al. (2018) Perinatal specimens of Maiasaura from the Upper Cretaceous of Montana (USA): insights into the early ontogeny of saurolophine hadrosaurid dinosaurs. PeerJ 6:e4734 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4734
date submitted: 2018-03-02
date accepted: 2018-04-18
issued: 2018-05-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Prieto-Marquez
  given name: Albert
author list: Agent
  family name: Guenther
  given name: Merrilee F.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4734
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-17
copyright: ©2018 Prieto-Marquez and Guenther
attribution name: Prieto-Marquez and Guenther

Comparing the catch composition, profitability and discard survival from different trammel net designs targeting common spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) in a Mediterranean fishery
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: In the Balearic Islands, different trammel net designs have been adopted to promote fisheries sustainability and reduce discards. Here, we compare the catch performance of three trammel net designs targeting the spiny lobster Palinurus elephas in terms of biomass, species composition and revenue from commercial catches and discards. Designs differ in the netting fiber type (standard polyfilament, PMF, or a new polyethylene multi-monofilament, MMF) and the use of a guarding net or greca, a mesh piece intended to reduce discards. Catches were surveyed by an on-board observer from 1,550 netting walls corresponding to 70 nets. The number of marketable species captured indicated that the lobster trammel net fishery has multiple targets, which contribute significantly to the total revenue. The discarded species ranged from habitat-forming species to elasmobranches, but the magnitude of gear-habitat interactions on the long term dynamics of benthos remains unclear. No relevant differences in revenue and weight of discards were detected after Bayesian analyses. However, the species composition of discards was different when using greca. Interestingly, high immediate survival was found for discarded undersized lobsters, while a seven day survival assessment, using captive observation, gave an asymptotic estimate of survival probability as 0.64 (95% CI [0.54–0.76]). Therefore, it is recommended that it would be beneficial for this stock if an exemption from the EU landing obligation regulation was sought for undersized lobsters in the Balearic trammel net fishery.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Gaetano Catanese
creator: Hilmar Hinz
creator: Maria del Mar Gil
creator: Miquel Palmer
creator: Michael Breen
creator: Antoni Mira
creator: Elena Pastor
creator: Amalia Grau
creator: Andrea Campos-Candela
creator: Elka Koleva
creator: Antoni Maria Grau
creator: Beatriz Morales-Nin
subject: Aquaculture, Fisheries and Fish Science
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4707
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Catanese et al.
abstract: In the Balearic Islands, different trammel net designs have been adopted to promote fisheries sustainability and reduce discards. Here, we compare the catch performance of three trammel net designs targeting the spiny lobster Palinurus elephas in terms of biomass, species composition and revenue from commercial catches and discards. Designs differ in the netting fiber type (standard polyfilament, PMF, or a new polyethylene multi-monofilament, MMF) and the use of a guarding net or greca, a mesh piece intended to reduce discards. Catches were surveyed by an on-board observer from 1,550 netting walls corresponding to 70 nets. The number of marketable species captured indicated that the lobster trammel net fishery has multiple targets, which contribute significantly to the total revenue. The discarded species ranged from habitat-forming species to elasmobranches, but the magnitude of gear-habitat interactions on the long term dynamics of benthos remains unclear. No relevant differences in revenue and weight of discards were detected after Bayesian analyses. However, the species composition of discards was different when using greca. Interestingly, high immediate survival was found for discarded undersized lobsters, while a seven day survival assessment, using captive observation, gave an asymptotic estimate of survival probability as 0.64 (95% CI [0.54–0.76]). Therefore, it is recommended that it would be beneficial for this stock if an exemption from the EU landing obligation regulation was sought for undersized lobsters in the Balearic trammel net fishery.
bibliographic citation: Catanese et al. (2018) Comparing the catch composition, profitability and discard survival from different trammel net designs targeting common spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) in a Mediterranean fishery. PeerJ 6:e4707 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4707
date submitted: 2018-01-16
date accepted: 2018-04-15
issued: 2018-05-17
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Catanese
  given name: Gaetano
author list: Agent
  family name: Hinz
  given name: Hilmar
author list: Agent
  family name: Gil
  given name: Maria del Mar
author list: Agent
  family name: Palmer
  given name: Miquel
author list: Agent
  family name: Breen
  given name: Michael
author list: Agent
  family name: Mira
  given name: Antoni
author list: Agent
  family name: Pastor
  given name: Elena
author list: Agent
  family name: Grau
  given name: Amalia
author list: Agent
  family name: Campos-Candela
  given name: Andrea
author list: Agent
  family name: Koleva
  given name: Elka
author list: Agent
  family name: Grau
  given name: Antoni Maria
author list: Agent
  family name: Morales-Nin
  given name: Beatriz
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4707
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-17
copyright: © 2018 Catanese et al.
attribution name: Catanese et al.

Identification and expression analysis of cytokinin metabolic genes IPTs, CYP735A and CKXs in the biofuel plant Jatropha curcas
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The seed oil of Jatropha curcas is considered a potential bioenergy source that could replace fossil fuels. However, the seed yield of Jatropha is low and has yet to be improved. We previously reported that exogenous cytokinin treatment increased the seed yield of Jatropha. Cytokinin levels are directly regulated by isopentenyl transferase (IPT), cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, family 735, subfamily A (CYP735A), and cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). In this study, we cloned six IPT genes, one JcCYP735A gene, and seven JcCKX genes. The expression patterns of these 14 genes in various organs were determined using real-time quantitative PCR. JcIPT1 was primarily expressed in roots and seeds, JcIPT2 was expressed in roots, apical meristems, and mature leaves, JcIPT3 was expressed in stems and mature leaves, JcIPT5 was expressed in roots and mature leaves, JcIPT6 was expressed in seeds at 10 days after pollination, and JcIPT9 was expressed in mature leaves. JcCYP735A was mainly expressed in roots, flower buds, and seeds. The seven JcCKX genes also showed different expression patterns in different organs of Jatropha. In addition, CK levels were detected in flower buds and seeds at different stages of development. The concentration of N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)-adenine (iP), iP-riboside, and trans-zeatin (tZ) increased with flower development, and the concentration of iP decreased with seed development, while that of tZ increased. We further analyzed the function of JcCYP735A using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and found that the concentrations of tZ and tZ-riboside decreased significantly in the Jccyp735a mutants, which showed severely retarded growth. These findings will be helpful for further studies of the functions of cytokinin metabolic genes and understanding the roles of cytokinins in Jatropha growth and development.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Li Cai
creator: Lu Zhang
creator: Qiantang Fu
creator: Zeng-Fu Xu
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Plant Science
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4812
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 Cai et al.
abstract: The seed oil of Jatropha curcas is considered a potential bioenergy source that could replace fossil fuels. However, the seed yield of Jatropha is low and has yet to be improved. We previously reported that exogenous cytokinin treatment increased the seed yield of Jatropha. Cytokinin levels are directly regulated by isopentenyl transferase (IPT), cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, family 735, subfamily A (CYP735A), and cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). In this study, we cloned six IPT genes, one JcCYP735A gene, and seven JcCKX genes. The expression patterns of these 14 genes in various organs were determined using real-time quantitative PCR. JcIPT1 was primarily expressed in roots and seeds, JcIPT2 was expressed in roots, apical meristems, and mature leaves, JcIPT3 was expressed in stems and mature leaves, JcIPT5 was expressed in roots and mature leaves, JcIPT6 was expressed in seeds at 10 days after pollination, and JcIPT9 was expressed in mature leaves. JcCYP735A was mainly expressed in roots, flower buds, and seeds. The seven JcCKX genes also showed different expression patterns in different organs of Jatropha. In addition, CK levels were detected in flower buds and seeds at different stages of development. The concentration of N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)-adenine (iP), iP-riboside, and trans-zeatin (tZ) increased with flower development, and the concentration of iP decreased with seed development, while that of tZ increased. We further analyzed the function of JcCYP735A using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, and found that the concentrations of tZ and tZ-riboside decreased significantly in the Jccyp735a mutants, which showed severely retarded growth. These findings will be helpful for further studies of the functions of cytokinin metabolic genes and understanding the roles of cytokinins in Jatropha growth and development.
bibliographic citation: Cai et al. (2018) Identification and expression analysis of cytokinin metabolic genes IPTs, CYP735A and CKXs in the biofuel plant Jatropha curcas. PeerJ 6:e4812 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4812
date submitted: 2018-03-15
date accepted: 2018-04-30
issued: 2018-05-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cai
  given name: Li
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhang
  given name: Lu
author list: Agent
  family name: Fu
  given name: Qiantang
author list: Agent
  family name: Xu
  given name: Zeng-Fu
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4812
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-16
copyright: © 2018 Cai et al.
attribution name: Cai et al.

Geographical variation in colour of female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: The ecological multifunctionality of colour often results in multiple selective pressures operating on a single trait. Most research on colour evolution focuses on males because they are the most conspicuous sex in most species. This bias can limit inferences about the ecological drivers of colour evolution. For example, little is known about population divergence in colour of female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), which is among the most intensively-studied model vertebrates in evolution, ecology, and behaviour. In contrast, the evolution and ecology of colour in male stickleback has received considerable attention. One aspect of female colouration that is lacking previous research is non-ornamental body colour. Non-ornamental colour can play defensive and social roles, and indicate other aspects of female stickleback ecology. To remedy this knowledge gap, we measured the colour and brightness of one dorsal and one ventral lateral area on female stickleback from nine lake populations on Vancouver Island. We found that lake populations varied in overall colour brightness and dorso-ventral contrast. In addition, we found that female brightness increased with lake size, indicating potential ecological drivers of these colour differences. Our results demonstrate that there is substantial scope for future research on female colour diversification, which has been overlooked because past researchers focused on dramatic male nuptial colours.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Connor M. French
creator: Travis Ingram
creator: Daniel I. Bolnick
subject: Biodiversity
subject: Ecology
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.4807
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2018 French et al.
abstract: The ecological multifunctionality of colour often results in multiple selective pressures operating on a single trait. Most research on colour evolution focuses on males because they are the most conspicuous sex in most species. This bias can limit inferences about the ecological drivers of colour evolution. For example, little is known about population divergence in colour of female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), which is among the most intensively-studied model vertebrates in evolution, ecology, and behaviour. In contrast, the evolution and ecology of colour in male stickleback has received considerable attention. One aspect of female colouration that is lacking previous research is non-ornamental body colour. Non-ornamental colour can play defensive and social roles, and indicate other aspects of female stickleback ecology. To remedy this knowledge gap, we measured the colour and brightness of one dorsal and one ventral lateral area on female stickleback from nine lake populations on Vancouver Island. We found that lake populations varied in overall colour brightness and dorso-ventral contrast. In addition, we found that female brightness increased with lake size, indicating potential ecological drivers of these colour differences. Our results demonstrate that there is substantial scope for future research on female colour diversification, which has been overlooked because past researchers focused on dramatic male nuptial colours.
bibliographic citation: French et al. (2018) Geographical variation in colour of female threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). PeerJ 6:e4807 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4807
date submitted: 2018-03-10
date accepted: 2018-04-30
issued: 2018-05-16
is part of: PeerJ
license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: French
  given name: Connor M.
author list: Agent
  family name: Ingram
  given name: Travis
author list: Agent
  family name: Bolnick
  given name: Daniel I.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.4807
volume: 6
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2018-05-16
copyright: © 2018 French et al.
attribution name: French et al.

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359