Two new species of loricariid catfishes, Parotocinclus bidentatus and P. muriaensis, are described from the rio Paraíba do Sul basin. They possess accessory unicuspid teeth located internally to the series of bicuspid teeth in premaxillary and dentary bones. According to a parsimony analysis of phylogenetic relationships among the Hypoptopomatinae, the new taxa are members of the genus Parotocinclus, even though they lack a fully developed adipose fin. They differ from most species of Parotocinclus because they have accessory teeth. Within the Hypoptopomatinae, accessory teeth are also found only in P. collinsae and members of the genera Eurycheilichtys, Epactionotus and Niobichthys.
Duas novas espécies de cascudinhos loricariídeos, Parotocinclus bidentatus e P. muriaensis, são descritas da bacia do Rio Paraíba do Sul. Elas possuem dentes unicúspides localizados internamente à série de dentes bicúspides dos ossos pré-maxilar e dentário. De acordo com uma análise de parcimônia das relações filogenéticas entre os Hypoptopomatinae, as novas espécies pertencem ao gênero Parotocinclus, apesar de não possuírem a nadadeira adiposa plenamente desenvolvida. Elas diferem da maioria das espécies de Parotocinclus pela presença de dentes acessórios. Entre os Hypoptopomatinae dentes acessórios ocorrem apenas em P. collinsae e membros dos gêneros Eurycheilichthys, Epactionotus e Niobichthys

The isotopic composition of baleen whales’ epidermis structural layers can give information about dietary change over time. This study investigated if epidermis layers integrated isotopic values that record physiological changes from gestation to lactation. Epidermis tissues (n = 43) were collected from free ranging lactating female gray whale and calves during the beginning of three breeding seasons. Modelling of δ 13 C and δ 15 N values show intra- and inter-individual differences based on epidermal layers, age class and year of sampling. The isotopic composition of mother-calf pairs is correlated, and the estimates of the maximum mother-to-calf isotopic difference was ~1.4‰ for δ 13 C and between 1 and 1.5‰ for δ 15 N values. Change in δ 15 N values among epidermal layers in calves was associated with the transition from fetus to consumption of maternal milk. It is here proposed when lactation influences calf epidermis, δ 15 N values decrease consistently from the outermost to the innermost layer. However, if a calf was born only few days before collection, epidermis integrates more variable δ 15 N patterns because gestation still affects the isotopic composition of the layers. The possibility of calculating mother-to-calf nitrogen isotope fractionation, and the regularity of changes between calf layer δ 15 N values, allowed results of an isotopic clock model to predict the age of each calf when sampled with its mother. This model has the potential to be a straightforward method to estimate the beginning of lactation, therefore calf birth date when direct observations are not feasible. The non-lethal remote collection of epidermis appears to be an effective tool for the study of the physiology of reproduction of baleen whales. The parallel study of the three epidermal structural layers highlighted the importance of considering the unique mother-calf pair physiological status at the time of sampling time when stable isotope results are interpreted.

No abstract

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are ecosystem sentinels. In the Gulf of California, Mexico, they are found in areas that overlap with human activities, as in the case of the Ensenada de La Paz lagoon. A custom-made recorder -moored at medium depth (2.0 m) in the entrance to the lagoon- recorded acoustic data from June to November 2017 (8 deployments; 293 h). Whistles -an indicative of bottlenose dolphin presences- were pooled over time to acquire acoustic encounters, which were analysed to infer continuity of animal presence and test for statistically significant differences between deployments, day and night, and hours. Whistles were recorded during all deployments and evidenced night-time presence of bottlenose dolphins in the lagoon. Significant differences of acoustic encounters were observed between ‘Jun-Jul’ and ‘Sep-Nov’. Acoustic encounters were higher at night but were not different at an hourly level. Acoustical data proved the continuous presence of bottlenose dolphins, highlighting the importance of the Ensenada de La Paz for their population. This initial study highlights the usefulness of long-term passive acoustic monitoring to inform stake holders involved in management and conservation plans.

Marine mammals in subtropical coastal habitats are sentinels of the health of the ecosystem and offer important ecosystem services. They rely on prey that pursues feeding opportunities, while both avoid unfavorable conditions. In many cases, these predator-prey dynamics fluctuate seasonally and are regulated by lunar, tidal, and/or diel cycles (hour). However, these rhythmical patterns may vary under different seasonal conditions. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Ensenada de La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, were detected acoustically over the course of an annual cycle on 21 separate occasions, covering 640 h from June 2017 to May 2019. The presence of bottlenose dolphins was examined using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) including variables that are related directly to their habitat (direct variables: hour, distance, depth) and to their prey (indirect variables: SST, moon phase and tides). Seasonal differences in the presence of bottlenose dolphins were influenced more by indirect variables (explained deviance: 34.8% vs. 37.7%). Hourly acoustic detections occurred less frequently when SST exceeded 27.4 °C (Aug–End of Nov.) and more frequently at moderate temperatures (22.7 °C to 26.3 °C) in May through July. Moreover, bottlenose dolphins were detected more frequently during waning and new moon phases, at the onset of flood and ebb tides, and during day (04:00 to 20:00). The seasonal differences in acoustic detections rates were highlighted by the global GAM and hierarchical clustering. The strong seasonal pattern indicated possible interactions with rhythmic pattern of bottlenose dolphins. Four candidate variables (SST, moon, tide, and hour) were tested for plausible interaction terms additional to their individual consideration, out of which only hour changed significantly between seasons. The patterns of presence likely increase feeding opportunities or may favor other behaviors such as socializing, resting, or nursing. These might prove responsible for the distinct occurrence and hourly patterns of bottlenose dolphins.

Eastern gray whales’ distribution range and plasticity in feeding behavior complicates the understanding of critical life-history such as pregnancy and lactation. Our goal was to determine if females who experienced gestation, gave birth, and lactated their calves, assimilated a high proportion of benthic amphipods from the Bering Sea, which are considered the species’ main prey. We used Bayesian stable isotope mixing models to estimate the probability of contribution of food items sampled along the species’ distributional range, using isotopic data on amphipods from the Bering Sea, mysids from Vancouver Island, and amphipods and polychaetes from Ojo de Liebre Lagoon. We sampled epidermal tissue from lactating females (n = 25) and calves (n = 34) and analyzed their carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition. Model outcome indicated that benthic amphipods from the Bering Sea were not the primary food for the eastern gray whale. Each mother performed a different feeding strategy, and prey from Vancouver Island were generally as important as that from the Bering Sea. Moreover, model results indicate a constant use of Ojo de Liebre Lagoon as a feeding ground. Our results appear to agree with previous studies that report continuous feeding by females to satisfy certain physiological requirements (e.g., fatty acids omega-6) during migration and breeding time. Future investigations of the isotopic composition of all those prey items that could be assimilated by the eastern gray whale emerge as critical. Both historical and recent information, that would provide insights in the species feeding ecology under past and present environmental conditions, should be considered as equally important to establish conservation and management plans.