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At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

Late Pliocene paleoeco­logic reconstructions based on ostracode assemblages from the Sagavanirktok and Gubik formations, Alaskan North Slope

Shallow-marine ostracode assemblages from upper Pliocene sediments of the upper part of the Sagavanirktok Formation and lower part of the Gubik Formation record the last warm period that occurred before the onset of significant cooling of the Arctic Ocean and the initiation of Northern Hemisphere continental glaciation. The informally named Colvillian and Bigbendian transgressions represent the oldest deposits of the Gubik Formation and are dated, based on various lines of evidence, between 2.48 and 3 Ma. Ostracode faunas from the lower part of the Gubik Formation indicate a cold-temperate to subfrigid marine climate with summer bottom temperatures 1-4 C warmer than today. Deposits of the upper part of the Sagavanirktok Formation at Manning Point and Barter Island are older than Colvillian sediments but are believed to be late Pliocene in age and contain an ostracode fauna that has many species in common with the lower part of the Gubik Formation. The Sagavanirktok ostracode faunas indicate a cold-temperature to subfrigid marine climate, similar to that inferred for the lower part of the Gubik Formation, with summer bottom temperatures 1-3 C warmer than today. The opening of Bering Strait at about 3 Ma altered Arctic Ocean assemblage composition as Pacific species migrated into the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. The admixture of evolutionarily distinct faunas from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans identifies Colvillian (and younger) faunas and provides a convenient reference horizon in the Alaskan fossil record. The marine climatic deterioration that followed the Bigbendian appears to have been abrupt and is documented by biotic turnover, with large numbers of species extinctions and first appearances of new species. The change in species composition can be attributed to the cooling of the Arctic Ocean during the late Pliocene.

Alaska↗

Modern erosion rates and loss of coastal features and sites, Beaufort Sea coastline, Alaska

This study presents modern erosion rate measurements based upon vertical aerial photography captured in 1955, 1979, and 2002 for a 100 km segment of the Beaufort Sea coastline. Annual erosion rates from 1955 to 2002 averaged 5.6 m a-1. However, mean erosion rates increased from 5.0 m a-1 in 1955-79 to 6.2 m a-1 in 1979-2002. Furthermore, from the first period to the second, erosion rates increased at 60% (598) of the 992 sites analyzed, decreased at 31% (307), and changed less than ?? 30 cm at 9% (87). Historical observations and quantitative studies over the past 175 years allowed us to place our erosion rate measurements into a longer-term context. Several of the coastal features along this stretch of coastline received Western place names during the Dease and Simpson expedition in 1837, and the majority of those features had been lost by the early 1900s as a result of coastline erosion, suggesting that erosion has been active over at least the historical record. Incorporation of historical and modern observations also allowed us to detect the loss of both cultural and historical sites and modern infrastructure. U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps reveal a number of known cultural and historical sites, as well as sites with modern infrastructure constructed as recently as the 1950s, that had disappeared by the early 2000s as a result of coastal erosion. We were also able to identify sites that are currently being threatened by an encroaching coastline. Our modern erosion rate measurements can potentially be used to predict when a historical site or modern infrastructure will be affected if such erosion rates persist. ?? The Arctic Institute of North America.

Alaska↗

Radiometric age map of southeast Alaska

This map includes published, thesis, and open-file radiometric data available to us as of June, 1975. Some dates are not plotted because of inadequate location data in the original references. The map is divided into five sections, based on 1:1,000,000 scale enlargements of the National Atlas maps of Alaska. Within each section (e.g., southeastern Alaska), radiometric dates are plotted and keyed to 1:250,000 scale quadrangles. Accompanying each map section is table 1, listing map numbers and the sample identification numbers used in DGGS Special Report 10: Radiometric Dates from Alaska-A 1975 Compilation”. The reader is referred to Special Report 10 for more complete information on location, rock type, dating method, and literature references for each age entry. A listing of dates in Special Report lo which require correction or deletion is included S table 2. Corrected and additional entries are listed in table 3. The listings in tables 2 and 3 follow the format of Special Report 10. Table 4 is a glossary of abbreviations used for quadrangle name, rock type, mineral dated, and type of dating method used.

Alaska↗

Radiometric age map of Aleutian Islands

This map includes published, thesis, and open-file radiometric data available to us as of June, 1975. Some dates are not plotted because of inadequate location data in the original references. The map is divided into five sections, based on 1:1,000,000 scale enlargements of the National Atlas maps of Alaska. Within each section (e.g., southeastern Alaska), radiometric dates are plotted and keyed to 1:250,000 scale quadrangles. Accompanying each map section is table 1, listing map numbers and the sample identification numbers used in DGGS Special Report 10: Radiometric Dates from Alaska-A 1975 Compilation”. The reader is referred to Special Report 10 for more complete information on location, rock type, dating method, and literature references for each age entry. A listing of dates in Special Report lo which require correction or deletion is included S table 2. Corrected and additional entries are listed in table 3. The listings in tables 2 and 3 follow the format of Special Report 10. Table 4 is a glossary of abbreviations used for quadrangle name, rock type, mineral dated, and type of dating method used.

Alaska↗

Radiometric age map of southwest Alaska

This map includes published, thesis, and open-file radiometric data available to us as of June, 1975. Some dates are not plotted because of inadequate location data in the original references. The map is divided into five sections, based on 1:1,000,000 scale enlargements of the National Atlas maps of Alaska. Within each section (e.g., southeastern Alaska), radiometric dates are plotted and keyed to 1:250,000 scale quadrangles. Accompanying each map section is table 1, listing map numbers and the sample identification numbers used in DGGS Special Report 10: Radiometric Dates from Alaska-A 1975 Compilation”. The reader is referred to Special Report 10 for more complete information on location, rock type, dating method, and literature references for each age entry. A listing of dates in Special Report lo which require correction or deletion is included S table 2. Corrected and additional entries are listed in table 3. The listings in tables 2 and 3 follow the format of Special Report 10. Table 4 is a glossary of abbreviations used for quadrangle name, rock type, mineral dated, and type of dating method used.

Alaska↗

Radiometric age map of southcentral Alaska

This map includes published, thesis, and open-file radiometric data available to us as of June, 1975. Some dates are not plotted because of inadequate location data in the original references. The map is divided into five sections, based on 1:1,000,000 scale enlargements of the National Atlas maps of Alaska. Within each section (e.g., southeastern Alaska), radiometric dates are plotted and keyed to 1:250,000 scale quadrangles. Accompanying each map section is table 1, listing map numbers and the sample identification numbers used in DGGS Special Report 10: Radiometric Dates from Alaska-A 1975 Compilation”. The reader is referred to Special Report 10 for more complete information on location, rock type, dating method, and literature references for each age entry. A listing of dates in Special Report lo which require correction or deletion is included S table 2. Corrected and additional entries are listed in table 3. The listings in tables 2 and 3 follow the format of Special Report 10. Table 4 is a glossary of abbreviations used for quadrangle name, rock type, mineral dated, and type of dating method used.

Alaska↗

Radiometric age map of northern Alaska

This map includes published, thesis, and open-file radiometric data available to us as of June, 1975. Some dates are not plotted because of inadequate location data in the original references. The map is divided into five sections, based on 1:1,000,000 scale enlargements of the National Atlas maps of Alaska. Within each section (e.g., southeastern Alaska), radiometric dates are plotted and keyed to 1:250,000 scale quadrangles. Accompanying each map section is table 1, listing map numbers and the sample identification numbers used in DGGS Special Report 10: Radiometric Dates from Alaska-A 1975 Compilation”. The reader is referred to Special Report 10 for more complete information on location, rock type, dating method, and literature references for each age entry. A listing of dates in Special Report lo which require correction or deletion is included S table 2. Corrected and additional entries are listed in table 3. The listings in tables 2 and 3 follow the format of Special Report 10. Table 4 is a glossary of abbreviations used for quadrangle name, rock type, mineral dated, and type of dating method used.

Alaska↗

Radiometric dates from Alaska: A 1975 compilation

The following table of radiometric dates from Alaska includes published material through 1972 as well as some selected later data. The table includes 726 mineral and whole-rock dates determined by the K-Ar, Rb-Sr, fission-track U-Pb, and Pb-alpha techniques. The data are organized in alphabetical order of the 1:250,000 scale quadrangles in which the dated rocks are located. The latitude and longitude of each sample are given. In addition, each sample is located on a 1:250,000 quadrangle map by a grid system. The initial point of the grid is taken as the southwest corner of the quadrangle and the location of the sample is measured in inches east and inches north from that corner, e.g., "156E 126N" indicated 15.6 inches east and 12.6 inches north of the southwest corner of the quadrangle. Zeroes in the location columns for some dates indicate that accurate locations are not available. Rock type, dating method, mineral dated, radiometric age, sample identification number, and reference are also listed where possible. Short comments, mostly geographic locality names, are given for some dates. These comments have been taken from the original references. Sample identification numbers beginning with "AA" or "BB" have been assigned arbitrarily in cases where sample numbers were not assigned in the original references. Abbreviations are explained in the appendix at the end of table 1.

Alaska↗

IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI) for the education community (IUPAC Technical Report)

The IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI) was created to familiarize students, teachers, and non-professionals with the existence and importance of isotopes of the chemical elements. The IPTEI is modeled on the familiar Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements. The IPTEI is intended to hang on the walls of chemistry laboratories and classrooms. Each cell of the IPTEI provides the chemical name, symbol, atomic number, and standard atomic weight of an element. Color-coded pie charts in each element cell display the stable isotopes and the relatively long lived radioactive isotopes having characteristic terrestrial isotopic compositions that determine the standard atomic weight of each element. The background color scheme of cells categorizes the 118 elements into four groups: (1) white indicates the element has no standard atomic weight, (2) blue indicates the element has only one isotope that is used to determine its standard atomic weight, which is given as a single value with an uncertainty, (3) yellow indicates the element has two or more isotopes that are used to determine its standard atomic weight, which is given as a single value with an uncertainty, and (4) pink indicates the element has a well-documented variation in its atomic weight, and the standard atomic weight is expressed as an interval. An element-by-element review accompanies the IPTEI and includes a chart of all known stable and radioactive isotopes for each element. Practical applications of isotopic measurements and technologies are included for the following fields: forensic science, geochronology, Earth-system sciences, environmental science, and human health sciences, including medical diagnosis and treatment.

Pure and Applied Chemistry↗

Polyphyly of Campylorhamphus , and description of a new genus for C. pucherani (Dendrocolaptinae)

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Campylorhamphus pucherani using DNA sequences from three mitochondrial genes and a nuclear intron, as well as 84 morphological characters from the skeleton, the integument, and the musculature. The molecular phylogeny indicated that C. pucherani is not part of Campylorhamphus ; instead, it is the sister species to Drymornis bridgesii , in a clade that also contains Lepidocolaptes . The morphological phylogeny also placed C. pucherani in a clade that contains Drymornis and Lepidocolaptes . Using a morphometric analysis of size and shape diversity, we demonstrated that the inclusion of C. pucherani in Drymornis would create an excessively heterogeneous genus compared with other dendrocolaptine genera. Because no generic name is available for C. pucherani , we describe the new genus Drymotoxeres for this species.

The Auk↗

Fire as an ecological process

This chapter investigates fire as a dynamic ecosystem process by first investigating fire in the context of general ecological theory, then discussing the concept of fire regimes, and finally by developing and applying a new framework for classifying fire regimes that better allows for the understanding of the patterns of fire as processes within ecosystems. Moreover, the chapter covers the succession theory and then proceeds through ecosystem, disturbance, and hierarchical theory. Next, it greatly expands on Agee’s (1993) treatment of conceptual distributions to include seven fire regime attributes, namely seasonality, fire return interval, fire size, spatial complexity, fireline intensity, fire severity, and fire type. Although humans have altered fire regimes throughout California for thousands of years, the pace of fire regime change has accelerated over the past 200 years. Recent and current management strategies have imposed directional changes on the pattern of fires in many California ecosystems.

California↗

Comparative genomic analyses and a novel linkage map for cisco (Coregonus artedi) provides insight into chromosomal evolution and rediploidization across salmonids

Whole-genome duplication (WGD) is hypothesized to be an important evolutionary mechanism that can facilitate adaptation and speciation. Genomes that exist in states of both diploidy and residual tetraploidy are of particular interest, as mechanisms that maintain the ploidy mosaic after WGD may provide important insights into evolutionary processes. The Salmonidae family exhibits residual tetraploidy, and this, combined with the evolutionary diversity formed after an ancestral autotetraploidization event, makes this group a useful study system. In this study, we generate a novel linkage map for cisco ( Coregonus artedi ), an economically and culturally important fish in North America and a member of the subfamily Coregoninae, which previously lacked a high-density haploid linkage map. We also conduct comparative genomic analyses to refine our understanding of chromosomal fusion/fission history across salmonids. To facilitate this comparative approach, we use the naming strategy of protokaryotype identifiers (PKs) to associate duplicated chromosomes to their putative ancestral state. The female linkage map for cisco contains 20,292 loci, 3,225 of which are likely within residually tetraploid regions. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that patterns of residual tetrasomy are generally conserved across species, although interspecific variation persists. To determine the broad-scale retention of residual tetrasomy across the salmonids, we analyze sequence similarity of currently available genomes and find evidence of residual tetrasomy in seven of the eight chromosomes that have been previously hypothesized to show this pattern. This interspecific variation in extent of rediploidization may have important implications for understanding salmonid evolutionary histories and informing future conservation efforts.

G3 Genes, Genomes, Genetics↗

Phylogeography and history of giant Galápagos tortoises

We examined the phylogeography and history of giant Galápagos tortoise populations based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 161 individuals from 21 sampling sites representing the 11 currently recognized extant taxa. Molecular clock and geological considerations indicate a founding of the monophyletic Galápagos lineage around 2–3 million years ago, which would allow for all the diversification to have occurred on extant islands. Founding events generally occurred from geologically older to younger islands with some islands colonized more than once. Six of the 11 named taxa can be associated with monophyletic maternal lineages. One, Geochelone porteri on Santa Cruz Island, consists of two distinct populations connected by the deepest node in the archipelago-wide phylogeny, whereas tortoises in northwest Santa Cruz are closely related to those on adjacent Pinzón Island. Volcan Wolf, the northernmost volcano of Isabela Island, consists of both a unique set of maternal lineages and recent migrants from other islands, indicating multiple colonizations possibly due to human transport or multiple colonization and partial elimination through competition. These genetic findings are consistent with the mixed morphology of tortoises on this volcano. No clear genetic differentiation between two taxa on the two southernmost volcanoes of Isabela was evident. Extinction of crucial populations by human activities confounds whether domed versus saddleback carapaces of different populations are mono- or polyphyletic. Our findings revealed a complex phylogeography and history for this tortoise radiation within an insular environment and have implications for efforts to conserve these endangered biological treasures.

Galápagos Islands↗

A prototype feature system for feature retrieval using relationships

Using a feature data model, geographic phenomena can be represented effectively by integrating space, theme, and time. This paper extends and implements a feature data model that supports query and visualization of geographic features using their non-spatial and temporal relationships. A prototype feature-oriented geographic information system (FOGIS) is then developed and storage of features named Feature Database is designed. Buildings from the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and subways in Chicago, Illinois are used to test the developed system. The results of the applications show the strength of the feature data model and the developed system 'FOGIS' when they utilize non-spatial and temporal relationships in order to retrieve and visualize individual features.

Cartography and Geographic Information Science↗

FishTraits: a database of ecological and life-history traits of freshwater fishes of the United States

The need for integrated and widely accessible sources of species traits data to facilitate studies of ecology, conservation, and management has motivated development of traits databases for various taxa. In spite of the increasing number of traits-based analyses of freshwater fishes in the United States, no consolidated database of traits of this group exists publicly, and much useful information on these species is documented only in obscure sources. The largely inaccessible and unconsolidated traits information makes large-scale analysis involving many fishes and/or traits particularly challenging. We have compiled a database of > 100 traits for 809 (731 native and 78 nonnative) fish species found in freshwaters of the conterminous United States, including 37 native families and 145 native genera. The database, named Fish Traits, contains information on four major categories of traits: (1) trophic ecology; (2) body size, reproductive ecology, and life history; (3) habitat preferences; and (4) salinity and temperature tolerances. Information on geographic distribution and conservation status was also compiled. The database enhances many opportunities for conducting research on fish species traits and constitutes the first step toward establishing a central repository for a continually expanding set of traits of North American fishes.

Fisheries↗

The Adopt-a-Herring program as a fisheries conservation tool

Successful conservation depends on a scientifically literate public. We developed the adopt-a-Herring program to educate nonscientists about fisheries and watershed restoration. this interactive educational and outreach project encouraged coastal residents to be involved in local watershed restoration. In the northeastern United States, river herring (Alosa spp.) are an important component of many coastal watersheds and often are the object of conservation efforts. In order to understand river herring spawning behavior and to improve the effectiveness of restoration efforts, our research tracked these fish via radiotelemetry in the Ipswich River, Massachusetts. In our adopt-a-Herring Program, participating stakeholder organizations adopted and named individual tagged river herring and followed their movements online. We also made information available to our adopters on our larger research goals, the mission and activities of other research and management agencies, examples of human actions that adversely affect watersheds, and opportunities for proactive conservation. Research results were communicated to adopters through our project web page and end-of-the-season summary presentations. Both tools cultivated a personal interest in river herring, stimulated discussion about fisheries and watershed restoration, educated participants about the goals and methods of scientists in general, and initiated critical thinking about human activities that advance or impede sustainability.

Massachusetts↗

Feeding behavior of lake whitefish and lake herring in Torch Lake, Michigan

It is proposed that Haemoproteus nettionis (Johnston and Cleland, 1909) Coatney, 1936 be accepted as the correct name for the Haemoproteus of Anatidae. A list of synonyms and amended description of the parasite is given. Infections are reported from wood ducks (Aix sponsa) and from domestic ducks and geese, the last representing a new host record. Natural transmission was demonstrated at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Maryland. Possible seasonal variation is suggested with active carriers present as early as mid-April among adult wood ducks and most active transmission occurring in June and early July with limited transmission earlier or later.

Progressive Fish-Culturist↗

Methods for the investigation of the statistics of the commercial fisheries of the Great Lakes

During the summer and fall of 1939 four experiments were conducted at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Bowie, Maryland, to determine the protein requirements of bobwhite chicks. A total of 816 chicks were used to compare six levels of protein, namely, 22,24,26, 28, 30, and 32 per cent.....From the three standpoints of survival, rate of growth, and efficiency of feed utilization for the first ten weeks of life, the 28 per cent level of protein gave the best results. During the ninth and tenth weeks, the highest efficiency of feed utilization was obtained on the 22 per cent level. The results indicate that after the birds have reached about twothirds of their mature weight, the difference in efficiency between a diet containing 28 per cent of protein and one containing 22 per cent may be small enough to justify, in the interest of economy, the use of a diet containing the lower percentage of protein.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗