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The Genome of the Gulf Pipefish Enables Understanding of Evolutionary Innovations C
Small et al. Genome Biology (2016) 17:258 DOI 10.1186/s13059-016-1126-6 RESEARCH Open Access The genome of the Gulf pipefish enables understanding of evolutionary innovations C. M. Small1†, S. Bassham1†, J. Catchen1,2†, A. Amores3, A. M. Fuiten1, R. S. Brown1,4, A. G. Jones5 and W. A. Cresko1* Abstract Background: Evolutionary origins of derived morphologies ultimately stem from changes in protein structure, gene regulation, and gene content. A well-assembled, annotated reference genome is a central resource for pursuing these molecular phenomena underlying phenotypic evolution. We explored the genome of the Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli), which belongs to family Syngnathidae (pipefishes, seahorses, and seadragons). These fishes have dramatically derived bodies and a remarkable novelty among vertebrates, the male brood pouch. Results: We produce a reference genome, condensed into chromosomes, for the Gulf pipefish. Gene losses and other changes have occurred in pipefish hox and dlx clusters and in the tbx and pitx gene families, candidate mechanisms for the evolution of syngnathid traits, including an elongated axis and the loss of ribs, pelvic fins, and teeth. We measure gene expression changes in pregnant versus non-pregnant brood pouch tissue and characterize the genomic organization of duplicated metalloprotease genes (patristacins) recruited into the function of this novel structure. Phylogenetic inference using ultraconserved sequences provides an alternative hypothesis for the relationship between orders Syngnathiformes and Scombriformes. Comparisons of chromosome structure among percomorphs show that chromosome number in a pipefish ancestor became reduced via chromosomal fusions. Conclusions: The collected findings from this first syngnathid reference genome open a window into the genomic underpinnings of highly derived morphologies, demonstrating that de novo production of high quality and useful reference genomes is within reach of even small research groups. -
Marine Protected Species Identification Guide
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Marine protected species identification guide June 2021 Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 129, June 2021. Prepared by K. Travaille and M. Hourston Cover: Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Photo: Matthew Pember. Illustrations © R.Swainston/www.anima.net.au Bird images donated by Important disclaimer The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Gordon Stephenson House 140 William Street PERTH WA 6000 Telephone: (08) 6551 4444 Website: dpird.wa.gov.au ABN: 18 951 343 745 ISSN: 1447 - 2058 (Print) ISBN: 978-1-877098-22-2 (Print) ISSN: 2206 - 0928 (Online) ISBN: 978-1-877098-23-9 (Online) Copyright © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2021. ii Marine protected species ID guide Contents About this guide �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1 Protected species legislation and international agreements 3 Reporting interactions ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������4 Marine mammals �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5 Relative size of cetaceans �������������������������������������������������������������������������5 -
Underwater Photography Jul/Aug 2016 Issue 91
Underwater Photography Jul/Aug 2016 Issue 91 The magazine that doesn’t have to say anything here An experience without equal At Wakatobi, we take great pride in providing the ultimate in exclusive and personalised service. Our dive staff and private guides ensure your in-water experiences are perfectly matched to your abilities and interests. While at the resort, or on board our luxury dive yacht Pelagian, you need only ask and we will gladly provide any service or facility within our power. For all these reasons and more, Wakatobi takes top honors among discerning divers and photographers. “Simply put, it doesn’t get any better than this. Everything is about service and maximizing your diving experience. The dives were amazing, and the dive and hotel staff are first class. They will accommodate any request, but you hardly need to make any since they have thought of essentially everything!” Dr. Jim & Laurie Benjamin www.wakatobi.com Contents Underwater Photography 3 Editorial A web magazine UwP91 Jul/Aug 2016 4 News Travel & Events 34 Glowdive dome lighting by Phil Rudin 75 Bimini and Cat sharks by Albert Kok 13 New Products 56 Cave photography by Jean-Michel Machefert 37 Macro etiquette by Alex Tattersall 79 Seahorses and Pipefish by Mark Webster 62 Liveaboards 85 Book review 27 Pelican Air 1535 case by Colin Marshall by Peter Rowlands by Phil Rudin 76 Parting Shot 45 Fluo lighting by Peter Rowlands by Steve Miller Cover shot by Bassem Jamour Underwater Photography 2001 - 2016 29 Sony A6300 review © PR Productions 69 Secrets of the forest Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlands by Jim Decker 50 Monaco by Tom Burd www.pr-productions.co.uk by Bassem Jamour [email protected] Issue 91/3 www.uwpmag.com 4k stills in agreement that such practices are Editorial no longer acceptable. -
Wheatstone Project Offshore Facilities and Produced Formation Water Discharge Management Plan: Stage 1
Wheatstone Project Offshore Facilities and Produced Formation Water Discharge Management Plan: Stage 1 Document No: WS0-0000-HES-PLN-CVX-000-00101-000 Revision: 2 Revision Date: 21-Dec-2015 IP Security: Public © Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Wheatstone Project Document No: WS0-0000-HES-PLN-CVX-000-00101-000 Offshore Facilities and Produced Formation Water Discharge Revision: 2 Management Plan: Stage 1 Revision Date: 21/12/2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY ........................................................ 3 1.0 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Project Overview ................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Proponent .............................................................................................................. 5 1.3 Environmental Approvals ....................................................................................... 7 1.4 Objectives .............................................................................................................. 7 1.5 Scope .................................................................................................................... 8 1.6 Public Availability ................................................................................................... 8 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................. 9 2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................... -
EPBC Referral Documents 2013/6836
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Referral of proposed action Project title: Importation, rearing and release of Tachardiaephagus somervillei (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) as a biological control agent for the yellow lac scale Tachardina aurantiaca (Hemiptera: Kerriidae) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean 1 Summary of proposed action NOTE: You must also attach a map/plan(s) showing the location and approximate boundaries of the area in which the project is to occur. Maps in A4 size are preferred. You must also attach a map(s)/plan(s) showing the location and boundaries of the project area in respect to any features identified in 3.1 & 3.2, as well as the extent of any freehold, leasehold or other tenure identified in 3.3(i). 1.1 Short description Use 2 or 3 sentences to uniquely identify the proposed action and its location. Supercolonies of the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (YCA) are a major and on- going threat to biodiversity values on Christmas Island, especially to red land crabs Gecarcoidea natalis and robber crabs Birgus latro. To date, the management of YCA supercolonies has depended on surveillance, monitoring and control using toxic bait (mostly fipronil), particularly through aerial baiting programs in 2002, 2009 and 2012. While this program has been very effective in suppressing YCA supercolonies and there are encouraging signs of recovery in many treated areas, new supercolonies continue to form. There is widespread concern for the sustainability of this program in terms of its expense, -
Marine Bioregional Plan for the North-West Marine Region
Marine bioregional plan for the North-west Marine Region prepared under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 I Disclaimer © Commonwealth of Australia 2012 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Public Affairs, GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 or email [email protected] Images: Striped Nudibranch – C.Zwick and DSEWPaC, Raccoon butterfly fish – N.Wolfe, Display of colourful coral – Tourism WA, Red and yellow feather star (crinoids) – Tourism WA, Sea Grass Meadow – Lochman Transparencies, Whale tail – Tourism WA, Snorkelling in Ningaloo Marine Park – Tourism WA, Green Turtle – Tourism WA, Black tip reef shark – N.Wolfe, Whale Shark – GBRMPA Marine bioregional plan for the North-west Marine Region prepared under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 MINISTERIAL FOREWORD North-west Marine Bioregional Plan For generations, Australians have enjoyed a unique relationship with the sea. Our oceans play a massive role in Australian life – they provide us with fish to eat, a place to fish, business and tourism opportunities and a place for families to enjoy. Australians know, better than anyone, how important it is that our oceans remain healthy and sustainable. Right now, our iconic marine environment is coming under more and more pressure from industry, from pollution and, increasingly, from climate change. That is why the Australian Government has committed to creating a network of Commonwealth marine reserves around the country. -
The Conservation Significance of the Biota of Barrow Island, Western Australia
Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 102: 98–133, 2019 The conservation significance of the biota of Barrow Island, Western Australia A. JASMYN J. LYNCH 1*, RoBert J.S. BeeToN 2 & PeNeLoPe GReeNSLADe 3,4 1 Molonglo Conservation Group, Fyshwick ACT 2609, Australia 2 School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia Qld 4072, Australia 3 Centre for Environmental Management, School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University, Ballarat Vic. 3353, Australia 4 Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton ACT 2601, Australia * Corresponding author: [email protected]; [email protected] Abstract Offshore islands are often important in conservation because of the presence of locally endemic species and for acting as refuges for native wildlife from the impacts of invasive species and inappropriate development. Barrow Island, a small, semi-arid island off the Pilbara coast of north- western Australia, has maintained the integrity of its terrestrial and aquatic biota despite sporadic incursions by invasive species and the operation of commercial oil extraction and liquified natural gas processing for over 50 years. We collate information from a wide range of sources to provide a framework to inform the ongoing management of the terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora species that have conservation significance on the island. These include endemic flora and fauna; species listed as threatened by state, national and international authorities; species that are rare or extinct in other parts of their original range; species of biogeographic significance; and migratory birds and marine fauna of national and international significance. In addition, Barrow Island has been of value in acting as a source area for translocations of vulnerable and endangered mammal species that have been eradicated in other parts of their range. -
Baleen 2D HR Seismic Survey Environment Plan Summary Rev 2
BALEEN 2D HR SEISMIC SURVEY ENVIRONMENT PLAN SUMMARY Rev 2 Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP11) Offshore Sydney Basin January 2018 Asset Energy Pty Ltd Baleen 2D HR Seismic Survey Environment Plan Summary Rev 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ii LIST OF FIGURES iv LIST OF TABLES v GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS vi 1 Introduction 7 1.1 Background 7 1.2 EP Nominated Liaison Person 7 2 Activity description 8 2.1 Location 8 2.2 Operational Area 8 2.3 Schedule 11 2.4 Description of Activity 11 3 Description of the Environment 13 3.1 Regional Setting 13 3.2 Key Ecological Features 13 3.3 Physical Environment 16 3.4 Biological Environment 16 3.5 Socio-Economic Environment 35 3.6 Values and Sensitivities 38 4 Environmental Impacts And Risk Evaluation methodolgy 40 4.1 Risk Assessment Methodology 40 4.2 Quantification of the Level or Risk 40 4.3 Control Measures and Residual Ranking 42 4.4 Demonstration of ALARP and Acceptability 42 5 Environmental Risks and Management – Planned Activities 45 5.1 Underwater Noise 45 5.2 Interference with Other Users of the Sea 54 5.3 Artificial Lighting 56 5.4 Routine Discharges (Sewage and Grey Water Discharges) 57 5.5 Routine Discharges - Putrescible Waste Discharge 58 5.6 Atmospheric Emissions 59 6 Environmental Risks and Management – Unplanned Activities 60 6.1 Introduction of Marine Pests 60 6.2 Disturbance of the Seabed / Loss of Equipment 62 6.3 Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Solid Wastes 63 6.4 Physical Presence of Vessel (Marine Fauna / Vessel Collision, Entanglement of Fishing Gear) 64 6.5 Spillage -
Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012 (The Final Declaration), Which Came Into Force on 20 November 2012
Appendix 1 Terms of Reference for the Expert 219 Panel on a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity APPEN D I Background X 1 On 19 November 2012, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities made the Final (Small Pelagic Fishery) Declaration 2012 (the Final Declaration), which came into force on 20 November 2012. The Final Declaration provides that a commercial fishing activity which: a. is in the area of the Small Pelagic Fishery; b. uses the mid-water trawl method; and c. uses a vessel which is greater than 130 metres in length, has an on-board fish processing facility and has storage capacity for fish or fish products in excess of 2000 tonnes is a Declared Commercial Fishing Activity for the purposes of Part 15B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (the EPBC Act). The Declared Commercial Fishing Activity is prohibited for up to two years while an expert panel conducts an assessment and reports to the Minister on the activity. The Expert Panel is established under section 390SH of the EPBC Act, as are the terms of reference for its assessment. Terms of Reference The Expert Panel will assess the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity, particularly the potential for the activity to result in adverse environmental impacts. The Expert Panel will assess and advise on: 1. the likely nature and extent of direct interactions of the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity with species protected under the EPBC Act, particularly seals and dolphins; 2. the potential for any localised depletion of target species (arising from the Declared Commercial Fishing Activity) to result in adverse impacts to the Commonwealth marine environment, including the target species’ predators protected under the EPBC Act; 3. -
APPENDIX 12 ARROW LNG PLANT Marine and Estuarine Ecology Impact Assessment
APPENDIX 12 ARROW LNG PLANT Marine and Estuarine Ecology Impact Assessment MARINE AND ESTUARINE ECOLOGY IMPACT ASSESSMENT Arrow LNG Plant MARINE AND ESTUARINE ECOLOGY IMPACT ASSESSMENT Arrow LNG Plant October 2011 CR 7033_09_v6 Coffey Environments Australia Pty Ltd ABN 65140765902 (formerly Coffey Natural Systems) Level 2, 12 Creek Street Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia T (+61) (7) 3002 0400 F (+61) (7) 3002 0444 coffey.com Marine and Estuarine Ecology Impact Assessment Arrow LNG Plant © Coffey Environments Pty Ltd October 2011 Project director David Gwyther Project manager Chelsea Kavanagh Version: Details: Approved: Date: CR 7033_09_v1 Initial draft to client RL May 2011 CR 7033_09_v2 Second draft to client RL August 2011 CR 7033_09_v3 Third draft to client EW September 2011 CR 7033_09_v4 Forth draft to client EW September 2011 CR 7033_09_v5 Fifth to client EW September 2011 CR 7033_09_v6 Final to client EW October 2011 Coffey Environments 7033_marine_and_estuarine_ecology_impact_assessment_v6.doc i Marine and Estuarine Ecology Impact Assessment Arrow LNG Plant CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY VI 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Purpose and Scope 1 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3 2.1 Proponent 3 2.2 Arrow LNG Plant 3 2.2.1 LNG Plant 3 2.2.2 Feed Gas Pipeline 7 2.2.3 Dredging 8 2.2.4 Decommissioning 9 3. LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT 11 3.1 Commonwealth Legislation 11 3.2 State Legislation 12 3.3 Policies and Subordinate Legislation 15 3.4 Internationally Protected Areas 15 4. STUDY METHOD 17 4.1 Approach to Existing Marine and Estuarine Environment 17 4.2 Approach to Impact Assessment 20 4.2.1 Identifying Impacts 21 4.2.2 Significance 22 5. -
Xray Magazine
A closer look at Biodiversity — At the Heart of the Coral Triangle Text and photos by Dr Richard Smith www.OceanRealmImages.com Coral reefs are places of immense natural diversity. They accommodate some of the highest densities of animals on earth and have more species than any other marine habitat. However, the species inhabit- ing coral reefs are not distributed evenly through the oceans. Richness differs dramatically between regions due to the many different pressures that have molded each community over mil- lions of years. The world’s highest marine biodiversity is found in an area that has become known by conservationists as the ‘Coral Triangle’. This region of mega-diversity is a roughly triangular area extending from central Indonesia to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and northwards to the Philippines. This rela- tively small area, on a global scale, boasts the world’s richest marine biodiver- sity. As you travel in any direction from there the number of species decreases. Pyjama cardinalfish The richest reefs are quite specific in I was lucky enough to conduct much of my PhD their habitat choice, research, on the biology and conservation of pygmy sea- preferring branching horses, at Wakatobi Dive Resort located at the heart of hard corals in calm shallow water A diver explores a rich coral reef 47 X-RAY MAG : 62 : 2014 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO ecology Biodiversity Coral reefs are the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystem Seagrass meadows harbor a unique assemblage of marine life. -
Imagine a Savannah Landscape of Steamy Blue Sky and Pyramid-Shaped Hills ... Imagine Komodo
Imagine a savannah landscape of steamy blue sky and pyramid-shaped hills ... imagine Komodo. KOMODO ARIA Text & Photographs by Michael AW Though the island of Komodo is located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, it differs remarkably from many of the other tropical isles of Indonesia. The dry weather conditions distinctive to the area – annual rainfall is about 800 millimetres – support a dramatically desolate setting of harsh undulating terrain dotted at random with Lontar palms. The islands are the prime habitat of a primeval species of lizard, a gigantic member of the monitor lizard family so big that a Dutch aviator reported his sightings, early in the 1900s, of four-metre dragons roaming the wild and barren landscape. His story was probably locked away in the ‘X-files’ of the day, discarded as the fabric of imagination of a mad explorer. It was not until another Dutchman, this time a military officer named Van Steyne, brought two cadavers to P.O. Ouwens, the curator of the Bogor Zoological Gardens, that the Komodo dragon was formally described as Varanus komodoensis in 1912. Today there may be as few as 3,000 of these prehistoric monitor lizards remaining in the wild, walking and grunting aggressively like dinosaurs. Because they exist nowhere else, evolutionary scientists began to lobby for their protection as far back as 1915. In 1977 Komodo Island and its environs were listed in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB), a worldwide programme designed to conserve the remaining diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms which make up our living biosphere, and to maintain healthy natural systems.