This study investigates the species-area relationship (SAR) for forest monkeys in a biodiversity hotspot. The Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania are well-suited to investigate the SAR, with seven monkey species in a range of fragment sizes (0.06-526 km(2)). We test the relationship between species richness and forest fragment size, relative to human and environmental factors. We distinguish resident and transitory species because the latter have an "effective patch size" beyond the area of forest. Forest area was the strongest (log-linear) predictor of species richness. However, forest area, elevation range and annual moisture index were intercorrelated. Previous knowledge of the relationship between elevation and tree communities suggests that the SAR is largely a result of habitat heterogeneity. Isolation by farmland (matrix habitat) also had a significant negative effect on species richness, probably exacerbated by hunting in small forests. The effect of area and isolation was less for transitory species. The human influence on species' presence/absence was negatively related to the extent of occurrence. Weaker relationships with temperature and precipitation suggest underlying climatic influences, and give some support for the influence of productivity. A reduced area relationship for smaller forests suggests that fragment sizes below 12-40 km(2) may not be reliable for determining SAR in forest monkeys. Further practical implications are for management to encourage connectivity, and for future SAR research to consider residency, matrix classification and moisture besides precipitation.

No abstract

The first living sample of Lophelia pertusa from Greenlandic waters was inadvertently collected at 60.3675°, -48.45528°, entangled together with other corals to a seawater sampler and property sensor (CTD) package. We collected in situ photographs taken at two sites in the same area in order to determine whether a reef was present. We identified reef-like structures formed by living and dead L. pertusa at 886-932 m depth on a steep slope. We assembled and analyzed hydrographic data to characterize the reef environment in order to facilitate future localization of other reefs and predictions of the impacts of climate change. We showed that the reef was located in a layer of modified Atlantic Water of relatively stable bottom temperature (4.1-5.0°C) and salinity (34.90-34.98) with density slightly higher (27.62-27.71 kg m -3 ) than that reported for the occurrence of reefs in the northeast Atlantic, and in an area with exceptionally and persistently high currents of [15 cm s -1 at 1000 m. The intermediatedepth salinity maximum was found in the depth range where the corals were found. We discovered signals of consistent vertical and horizontal transports at 700-900 m over the reef area. Although this area is not directly influenced by intermediate and deep convection in the Labrador Sea, the seasonal evolution of near-bottom temperature, salinity and density for the 700-900 m depth range revealed strong seasonal patterns with both temperature and salinity reducing to their annual minimal values at the end of March and staying low for 1 month with an indication of a second minimum in June, 3 months later. The occurrence and temporal extent of these minima likely arose through a combination of local convection from the surface and advection of cooled and freshened waters at depth from the Irminger Sea. A diversified associated fauna was described; the short list of species compiled from our limited sample comprised species common in the area, as well as rare species, species new to Greenland, and species new to science.

Accurate reporting of benthic corals is increasingly important for mapping distributions and for the continued development of sustainable fisheries under the ecosystem approach. This coral identification guide is intended to help those on-board commercial and research fishing vessels to identify and record the various species of coral likely to be commonly encountered in fishing trawls. The guide is clear and simple to use, and will provide names to the majority of these beautiful bottomdwelling animals. The photographs are typically of caught specimens taken on the deck, as this gives the best picture of what is actually seen. Sadly, we rarely personally see corals in their natural habitat, except by looking at films and photos taken by deep underwater cameras.