Creating Management Strategies Research Articles

Analysis of potential genes, immunological and antioxidant profiles associated with trypanosomiasis susceptibility in dromedary camels

Trypanosomiasis is associated with tissue damage and may trigger an immunological response. These tissue lesions are linked to metabolic issues and oxidative stress. The current study aimed to investigate the immunological, antioxidant, and metabolic changes that may be connected to camel trypanosomiasis. Blood samples were collected from 54 camels and allocated into two groups: The control group (35 camels) and the infected group (19 camels). The genes TLR2, TLR5, IL-17, MARCHF3, RASGRP1, EPS15L1, PPIE, ASB16, CMPK2, LPCAT1, FPGT, GPHN, TNNI3K, DIO3, keap1, and OXSR1 were significantly up-regulated in trypanosomiasis camels. However, down-regulation was observed for the genes Nrf2, PRDX6, and NDUFS5. PCR-DNA sequencing was used to identify nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in the immune (TLR2, TLR5, IL-17, MARCHF3, RASGRP1, and EPS15L1), metabolic (PPIE, ASB16, CMPK2, LPCAT1, FPGT, GPHN, TNNI3K, and DIO3), and antioxidant (Nrf2, Keap1, PRDX6, NDUFS5, and OXSR1) genes between healthy and trypanosomiasis-affected camels. Exploring the serum profile also showed a significant (P ˂ 0.05) increase in Hp, SAA, Cp, IL-1β, IL-6, IL 10, TNF-α, and MDA, with significant (P ˂ 0.05) reduction in the serum levels of CAT, SOD, GSH, T3, and T4 in diseased camels compared with healthy ones. Our findings confirm the significance of nucleotide variations, gene expression patterns, and the biochemical profile of the investigated markers as indicators for the susceptibility of trypanosomiasis in dromedary camels and may be utilized to create management strategies.

Visualizing changes of metabolites during iron deficiency chlorosis in field-grown pear leaves using micro-Raman spectral imaging.

Owing to iron chlorosis, pear trees are some of the most severely impacted by iron deficiency, and they suffer significant losses every year. While it is possible to determine the iron content of leaves using laboratory-standard analytical techniques, the sampling and analysis process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it does not quickly and accurately identify the physiological state of iron-deficient leaves. Therefore, it is crucial to find a precise and quick visualization approach for metabolites linked to leaf iron to comprehend the mechanism of iron deficiency and create management strategies for pear-tree planting. In this paper, we propose a micro-Raman spectral imaging method for non-destructive, rapid, and precise visual characterization of iron-deficiency-related metabolites in pear leaves. According to our findings, iron deficiency significantly decreased the Raman peak intensities of chlorophylls and lipids in leaves. The spatial distributions of chlorophylls and lipids in the leaves changed significantly as the symptoms of iron insufficiency worsened. The technique offers a new, prospective tool for rapid recognition of iron deficiency in pear trees because it is capable of visual detection of plant physiological metabolites induced by iron deficiency.

Flooding depths and burial effects on seedling emergence of five California weedy rice (Oryza sativa spontanea) accessions

AbstractWeedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea Roshev.) has recently become a significant botanical pest in California rice (Oryza sativa L.) production systems. The conspecificity of this pest with cultivated rice negates the use of selective herbicides, rendering the development of nonchemical methods a necessary component of creating management strategies for this weed. Experiments were conducted to determine the emergence and early growth responses of O. sativa spontanea to flooding soil and burial conditions. Treatment combinations of four flooding depths (0, 5, 10, and 15 cm) and four burial depths (1.3, 2.5, 5, and 10 cm) were applied to test the emergence of five O. sativa spontanea accessions as well as ‘M-206’, a commonly used rice cultivar in California, for comparison. Results revealed that burial depth had a significant effect on seedling emergence. A 43% to 91% decrease in emergence between seedlings buried at 1.3 and 2.5 cm depending on the flooding depth and accession and an absence of emergence from seedlings buried at or below 5 cm were observed. Flooding depth did not affect emergence, but there was a significant interaction between burial and flooding treatments. There was no significant difference between total O. sativa spontanea emergence from the soil and water surfaces regardless of burial or flooding depths, implying that once the various accessions have emerged from the soil they will also emerge from the floodwater. Most accessions had similar total emergence compared with M-206 cultivated rice but produced more dry weight than M-206 when planted at 1.3 cm in the soil. The results of this experiment can be used to inform stakeholders of the flooding conditions necessary as well as soil burial depths that will promote or inhibit the emergence of California O. sativa spontanea accessions from the weed seedbank.

Odnos lokalne zajednice prema razvoju mračnoga turizma

The attitudes of local communities towards the development of dark tourism are still underexplored. This thorough analysis of the scientific knowledge available in renowned databases in the period from 2013 to 2019 aims at explaining the role of local communities in dark tourism, the advantages and disadvantages of its development, and the understanding of the conditions needed for its acceptance and support. The analysis has determined that every practice of dark tourism is conditioned by the context within which it was created, and that it has economic, socio-cultural and environmental advantages and disadvantages. The support of the local community for the development of dark tourism is crucial for its continuous existence, and it can depend on the management strategies and the benefits that dark tourism provides. The research results contribute to the corpus of literature, and may inform strategic guidelines for dark tourism management, as well as benefit the wider community through awareness of the necessity of prevention of tragic events. Further research on the topic should create management strategies of dark tourism that are acceptable to local communities.

The phenology of Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae): climatic niche conservatism as an important driver of species invasion in Araucaria forest

Phenology expresses strategies related to resource use and can play an important role in the success of invasive plants. Araucaria forests are highly fragmented ecosystems that are increasingly impacted by invasive plants, such as Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae). The present study aimed to describe the phenological events of L. lucidum; identify the influence climate has on its phenophases; and compare reproductive phenophases between L. lucidum and that of Araucaria forest. The phenological study was conducted over the course of 24 months, with the intensity of each phenophase being evaluated by the Fournier Index. Ligustrum lucidum exhibited phenophases throughout the entire year in Araucaria forest, all of which exhibited a seasonal pattern except for leaf fall. The same pattern was observed for the species in its native area. Day length was the best predictor of the phenology of L. lucidum. The reproductive phenology of L. lucidum differed from that of Araucaria forest, especially with regard to fruiting. The influence of day length on the phenophases of L. lucidum seems to be part of a strategy for efficient resource acquisition and allocation. The competitive advantage of L. lucidum in Araucaria forest may be due to the maintenance of its climatic niche, which gives it a different reproductive phenology in comparison to native species. The present study shows how phenology can play an important role in the invasion process and highlights the importance of creating management strategies to avoid the spread of L. lucidum in the already threatened Araucaria forest ecosystem.

11. An unusual case of dermatomyositis with anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme (SAE) antibodies present

IntroductionIdiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) have long been diagnosed using a defined number of clinical criteria (Bohan and Peter). The emergence of new myositis specific antibodies (MSAs) and their relation to specific disease phenotypes may be useful in establishing a new clinical-serological diagnostic criteria for different disease presentations and thus help to determine management and prognosis. We present a case of dermatomyositis (DM) where limb subcutaneous oedema; a rare manifestation of the disease, and severe dysphagia were prominent clinical features in addition with the presence of anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme (SAE) antibodies.Case descriptionA 63-year-old Pakistani male presented with weight loss, anorexia, odynophagia, and a rash over his scalp, chest, face and flexor surfaces. Initial blood results revealed hypoalbuminaemia, CRP 7mg/L and ESR 37mm/h. A CT chest revealed an anterior mediastinum soft tissue mass suggestive of necrosis, with multiple ill-defined nodes throughout the lungs.An endoscopy revealed severe gastritis. Oropharyngeal examination revealed pooling of saliva and mucositis. Ceftriaxone was commenced for a presumed infective aetiology.Video fluoroscopy confirmed pharyngeal dysphagia with aspiration. Examination demonstrated a non-fatigable bulbar sounding dysarthria. There was no tongue wasting or fasciculations. Power was globally reduced, with marked proximal upper and lower limb weakness.Nerve conduction studies revealed normal sensation, and most motor nerves had normal conduction velocities with small nerve responses. Electromyography showed areas with denervation.With no improvement in the patient’s condition, anti-tuberculosis and anti-fungal therapy were commenced, with pulsed methylprednisolone for three days followed by 80mg daily to cover for an organizing pneumonia. Subsequent cultures were negative.Progressive weight loss with muscle wasting ensued and later, facial hyperpigmentation was noted in addition to the development of facial, lip and arms swelling. He was rheumatoid factor positive >500 iu/ml, with a raised IgE 2912 g/L and IgG 37.6 g/L. A CT-PET scan revealed intense uptake in the muscles posterior of the neck, tongue and masticators.An MRI scan of his arms revealed several abnormal signals around the shoulder girdle, long muscles of the back, and upper arm, which guided the site for muscle biopsy. This revealed highly abnormal skeletal muscle with frequent atrophic and necrotic fibres overrun by macrophages and T-cell rich inflammation. These findings in addition to serology reporting the presence of anti-SAE antibodies confirmed the diagnosis.Pulsed methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin therapy, and azathioprine were initiated with reducing prednisolone dose.DiscussionThis case of DM with a generalised rash, severe dysphagia and limb subcutaneous oedema were salient features in addition to the presence of anti-SAE antibodies. Anti-SAE has been shown to be present exclusively in DM patients where rash and severe dysphagia are common clinical findings. Our patient presented with severe dysphagia, which can be difficult to manage requiring enteral feeding. Video fluoroscopy was particularly useful in this case helping to stratify the severity of dysphagia and we would urge other clinicians to use this tool when investigating patients with suspected dermatomyositis to avoid potential complications of poor swallow including aspiration pneumonia. The additional imaging modality of PET-CT in our case confirmed the involvement of the muscles of mastication thus could prove a useful tool when investigating involvement of swallowing muscles in patients with anti-SAE DM.Skin features are another common finding in the anti-SAE group and our patient had a heliotrophic rash and shawl sign, which responded poorly to treatment. We describe the additional feature of severe subcutaneous limb and facial oedema, a rare manifestation of the disease, described in only a few other cases. Limb subcutaneous oedema is thought to reflect underlying severe muscle disease, is difficult to treat, and often is unresponsive to conventional treatment. Our case, and several other cases with the presence of limb oedema as reported in a literature search, required treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and glucocorticoids, in addition with azathioprine and methotrexate.This is the first reported case to our knowledge of a patient with positive ANA, RF, anti-ccp, and anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme (anti-SAE) antibodies.Key learning pointsThe finding of anti-SAE in our case where severe dysphagia was present provides further weight to this antibody being a useful serological marker to identify this subgroup of DM patients. Identifying this antibody may be helpful in creating management strategies for these patients and determining disease progression and prognosis.The presence of limb and facial oedema may be an overlying feature of the anti-SAE group; however, previous cases of limb oedema have not identified this antibody as the SAE test was unavailable. The presence of severe dysphagia and subcutaneous oedema suggests the presence of anti-SAE lends itself to a clinical phenotype of DM that is particularly severe and requires multidisciplinary input.Conflicts of interestThe authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Incorporating Rarity and Accessibility Factors into the Cultural Ecosystem Services Assessment in Mountainous Areas: A Case Study in the Upper Reaches of the Minjiang River

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are not only a key source for supporting the development of economy but also maintain the ecological security in mountainous areas. However, there are limited numbers of studies that focus on establishing the assessment model for the CES at a regional scale. We combined the topographic factors and accessibility factors to quantify the distribution of CES and tested the approach with data on road and topography in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River. The results showed that the areas with high CES were located in the southwestern part of the study area, where it was convenient traffic and rare topography. Results from our approach were likely to support the development of local tourism industry because the distribution of CES was consistent with current hotspots for scenic spots. Meanwhile, we found that the area with high rarity and low accessibility should improve accessibility in order to enhance the capacity of CES. The assumptions applied in our approach highlighted the impacts of complex topography on CES, which could be suitable for the area with a lack of data. Moreover, our approach provided an effective way to assess CES for creating management strategies and enhancing capacity in mountainous areas.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Kichulchoia multifasciata in South Korea

Kichulchoia multifasciata, a small-sized loach (Family Cobitidae) inhabiting only the Nakdong River on the Korean Peninsula, is generally found around well-oxygenated minor tributaries. Despite the scarcity, this species is not yet a legally protected species in South Korea, and the spatial pattern of genetic diversity, which is essential to create management strategies, has never been studied. In this study, three mitochondrial loci and ten microsatellites were used to analyze the genetic diversity and the structure among eight K. multifasciata populations collected from different tributaries. K. multifasciata populations showed a high level of mitochondrial variability, with above 0.9 of average haplotype diversity in all three loci analyzed. A substantial microsatellite polymorphism was also found. Weak genetic structuring among populations and isolation by distance were clearly revealed in both mitochondrial and microsatellite data, indicating the high levels of gene flow among the tributaries. However, a few of the populations exhibited a genetic signature that they have experienced the historical size decline. Our data suggest that unequal gene flow might be one of the causes; nevertheless, the possibility of effective population size reduction by other factors could not be completely excluded. Our genetic evidence can be the critical information needed to protect the populations from the genetic erosion in the Nakdong River that has been destroyed and fragmented with increasing anthropogenic interferences.

What Human Resource Management Can Teach The Goal

Human resource management is a key element in the production process of many companies operating in the global business environment. The need for proper functioning and personal discipline resource with a high level of competency determines whether the company achieves its goals. It is the concern of every manager to ensure there are adequate controls and treatment of human resources that work with positive energy to drive the organization in the right direction. A successful implementation of human resource requirements will enable the company to work towards economic production and proper transformation towards higher standards. A study of The Goal by Eli Goldratt reveals the relevant points that should be considered in creating management strategies that make proper use of human resources to achieve higher levels of profitability and overall success in the global business environment.

Mapping growing stock volume and biomass carbon storage of larch plantations in Northeast China with L-band ALOS PALSAR backscatter mosaics

ABSTRACTReliable spatial information on growing stock volume (GSV) and biomass is critical for creating management strategies for plantation forests. This study developed empirical models to map the GSV and biomass of larch plantations (LPs) in Northeast China (1.25 million km2 total area) by integrating L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data with ground-based survey data. The best correlation model was used to map the GSVs and biomasses of LPs. The total GSV and biomass carbon storage were estimated at 224.3 ± 59.0 million m3 and 113.0 ± 29.7 × 1012 g C with average densities of 85.1 m3 ha−1 and 42.9 106 g × C ha−1, respectively, over a total area of 2.64 million ha. The saturation effect of SAR was determined beyond 260 m3 ha−1, which was expected to influence the estimations for a small proportion of the study area. The accuracy of the estimations has limitations mainly due to the uncertainties in the GSV inventories, discrimination of natural larch and the SAR dataset. Based on the mapping results of the GSVs of LPs, a planning strategy for multipurpose management was tentatively proposed. This study can inform policies and management practices to assure broader and sustainable benefits from plantation forests in the future.

An importance-performance analysis of destination competitiveness factors: case of Jablanica district in Serbia

The principal aim of this paper was to explore destination competitiveness factors of Jablanica District (Serbia), by examining the attitudes of tourists. For research purposes, 32 attributes of destination competitiveness were rated with two parallel five-point Likert type scales – one by which tourists rated the importance of the attribute and the other by which they expressed their satisfaction with the same. A total of 378 validly completed questionnaires were collected and served as a basis for data analysis. By using a factor analysis, the most important destination competitiveness factors were extracted. Based on this factor solution, Importance-Performance Analysis (I.P.A.) was performed. Using I.P.A., this article examines the efficiency of the resources allocation based on isolated factors, and the possibility of creating management strategies to improve the competitiveness of this destination. The results of this study indicate that the factors of food and environment are of primary importance for tourists when choosing this tourism destination. Research results will be of great importance for tourism managers in the destination, as well as for authorities of local governments in the district, to better understand strengths and weaknesses of identified competitiveness factors and utilise them as a starting point for tourism development.

Creating a Management Strategy Evaluation Model for Taipei City Sports Centre by Using Hybrid MCDM Models

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the critical factors that influence sports center management strategy performance, and explore the causal relationships between the criteria of each sub-criterion. Since developing a management strategy is a multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) process, this study adopts a new hybrid model of the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique, the DEMATEL-based analytic network process (DANP), Višekriterijumsko Kompromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) methods. The DEMATEL technique simplifies and visualizes the interrelationships between decision-making indicators, and the DANP obtains the influential weights using the basic concept of analytic network process (ANP). The VIKOR method using influential weights was used to evaluate and integrate the indicators performance in the gaps and to analyze how to reduce the gaps so as to evaluate the decision strategy by the sports center. This study found three core factors that influence sports center management strategy performance: staff qualities, site conditions, and traffic conditions. Additionally, key criteria of each factor were identified and the influential network relations maps (INRM) were obtained. The results of this study provided sports center managers with an idea-based understanding of how to create management strategies that increase the performance of dimensions and indicators to satisfy consumer needs and sports center profits, and also build competitive advantage in the sports center industry.

Land-cover patterns surrounding Caucasian grouse leks in Arasbaran region, East Azerbaijan, Iran

Context To create management strategies with the goal of sustaining a species such as Caucasian grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi), it is important to identify the habitat requirements of species, not just in terms of a correlation with a given habitat feature, but also the relationship between species presence and vegetation coverage, proximity to other habitat types, and importance at different spatial scales. Aims To predict the proportions and spatial configuration of major habitat types that are associated with high probabilities of Caucasian grouse lek occurrence. Methods Using minimum mapping-unit scale (i.e. grain) for land cover, we applied spatial analysis at three spatial extents (472-, 702- and 867-m-radius circles) to assess how the importance of different land-cover patterns and patch characteristics surrounding leks of Caucasian grouse changed with scale within the Arasbaran landscape (316.56 km2) in East Azerbaijan, Iran. A set of a priori models has been developed on the basis of landscape metrics linked to hypotheses that could explain the spatial pattern of Caucasian black habitat use at each scale. We used an information-theoretic approach based on Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) within a general additive models framework to model habitat selection, so as to compare the values of landscape metrics calculated for Caucasian grouse lek sites (n = 22) with those calculated for non-lek points (n = 44). Key results The probability of lek occurrence at each of the spatial scales increases with a larger amount of open, young forests in the landscape. At each scale, we could indicate the landscape composition and structure required to create an ideal habitat mosaic for Caucasian grouse. Such an ideal habitat mosaic within mountain forests of Arasbaran, for a 702-m-radius area around a potential lek site, would consist of non-square (i.e. more geometrically complex) patches of rangeland cover and deciduous stands with canopy cover of <50%, which encompass over 30% of landscape. Conclusions Our results identified differences in black grouse requirements at several scales within the landscape. We believe this will help managers improve the habitat focusing on the area around existing or inactive leks, to adapt the landscape to species requirements, and to encourage targeting new sites. Implications These findings demonstrated that not only can we identify important landscape requirements at a range of scales, but by characterising landscape composition and structure across these scales, forest managers can help prioritise combinations of habitats that best serve the conservation of the target species.

Urban Stormwater Temperature Surges: A Central US Watershed Study

Impacts of urban land use can include increased stormwater runoff temperature (Tw) leading to receiving water quality impairment. There is therefore a need to target and mitigate sources of thermal pollution in urban areas. However, complex relationships between urban development, stormwater runoff and stream water heating processes are poorly understood. A nested-scale experimental watershed study design was used to investigate stormwater runoff temperature impacts to receiving waters in a representative mixed-use urbanizing watershed of the central US. Daily maximum Tw exceeded 35.0 °C (threshold for potential mortality of warm-water biota) at an urban monitoring site for a total of five days during the study period (2011–2013). Sudden increases of more than 1.0 °C within a 15 min time interval of Tw following summer thunderstorms were significantly correlated (CI = 95%; p < 0.01) to cumulative percent urban land use (r2 = 0.98; n = 29). Differences in mean Tw between monitoring sites were significantly correlated (CI = 95%; p = 0.02) to urban land use practices, stream distance and increasing discharge. The effects of the 2012 Midwest USA drought and land use on Tw were also observed with maximum Tw 4.0 °C higher at an urban monitoring site relative to a rural site for 10.5 h. The current work provides quantitative evidence of acute increases in Tw related to urban land use. Results better inform land managers wishing to create management strategies designed to preserve suitable thermal stream habitats in urbanizing watersheds.

Business failure: incidence of stakeholders’ behavior

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the potential impact of stakeholders’ behavior on business failure, through its influence on the generation and distribution of value added. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 2,277 Spanish SMEs – half of which were businesses that failed during the years 2006‐2009 – the authors conducted an empirical study on a number of variables representing the participation of stakeholders in the generation and distribution of value added. This was undertaken in order to discern differential behavior between the variables and prove their usefulness in predicting business failure. For this purpose, a mean difference analysis between failed and non‐failed businesses and a multivariate logistic regression model were applied. Findings The results obtained show that the stakeholders’ behavior in relation to their participation in the generation and distribution of value added, affects the likelihood of business failure. Originality/value This paper provides empirical evidence of the influence of stakeholders’ behavior on the likelihood of business failure, through their participation in the generation and distribution of value added. The results are useful for creating management strategies because they offer advice on the implementation of business management models based on the stakeholder approach, and on the appropriate involvement of all those who make up the conglomerate in the generation and distribution of value added. They also emphasize the value of recording information related to the Value‐Added Statement in order to explain a firm's level of dependence on its stakeholders and assess the firm's risk of insolvency.

Predictive modeling and mapping sage grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus) nesting habitat using Maximum Entropy and a long-term dataset from Southern Oregon

Predictive modeling and mapping based on the quantitative relationships between a species and the biophysical features (predictor variables) of the ecosystem in which it occurs can provide fundamental information for developing sustainable resource management policies for species and ecosystems. To create management strategies with the goal of sustaining a species such as sage grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus), whose distribution throughout North America has declined by approximately 50%, land management agencies need to know what attributes of the range they now inhabit will keep populations sustainable and which attributes attract disproportionate levels of use within a home range. The objectives of this study were to 1) quantify the relationships between sage grouse nest-site locations and a set of associated biophysical attributes using Maximum Entropy, 2) find the best subset of predictor variables that explain the data adequately, 3) create quantitative sage grouse distribution maps representing the relative likelihood of nest-site habitat based on those relationships, and 3) evaluate the implications of the results for future management of sage grouse. Nest-site location data from 1995 to 2003 were collected as part of a long-term research program on sage grouse reproductive ecology at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. Two types of models were created: 1) with a set of predictor variables derived from digital elevation models, a field-validated vegetation classification, and UTM coordinates and 2) with the same predictors and UTM coordinates excluded. East UTM emerged as the most important predictor variable in the first type of model followed by the vegetation classification which was the most important predictor in the second type of model. The average training gain from ten modeling runs using all presence records and randomized background points was used to select the best subset of predictors. A predictive map of sage grouse nest-site habitat created from the application of the model to the study area showed strong overlap between model predictions and nest-site locations.

Population viability assessment and sensitivity analysis as a management tool for the peri-urban environment

Anthropogenic disturbance occurring within urban ecosystems is often extreme and highly variable. A quantifiable measure of their effect on the persistence of urban wildlife populations would contribute to conservation efforts. This study suggests that population viability assessment, a commonly utilized modeling tool for creating management strategies for rare and threatened wildlife populations, is also appropriate in an urban context. It can be used to create proactive management strategies that quantify the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances and rank a range of management options within an active adaptive framework. To show this, population viability assessment and sensitivity analyses were run to forecast the population trends of a seemingly robust but isolated swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) population living in peri-urban Sydney, Australia; a population exposed to anthropogenic disturbances from towns, hobby farms and roads. Modeling suggested this population was in a slow decline and that predictions were highly dependent upon stochastic events and the precision of reproduction rates. However, a number of management options are identified that will dramatically reduce the risk of total population decline, with complementary options utilized in tandem the most effective.

Courtship and Spawning Behavior in the California Sheephead, Semicossyphus Pulcher (Pisces: Labridae)

We recorded the courtship and spawning behavior of a protogynous fish, the California sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher, throughout their spawning season at Bird Rock, Santa Catalina Island, California. We made additional observations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and confirmed the details of behavior seen in the field. Large males held spawning territories in which females congregated approximately 1 h before sunset. Courtship commenced shortly before sunset and involved the male approaching each female, making lateral contact and leading her in a circular pattern. Smaller males attempted to court females within the territories, prompting large males to abort spawns and engage in chasing behavior with small males. Females visited several territorial males throughout the day, indicating that they are not part of a strict harem. Both field and aquarium observations confirm that the mating system can be successfully predicted from the size advantage model. Current regulations on the sheephead fishery, which allow for the removal of large, rare males, could have significant effects on the social structure, reproductive output, and mating processes of local populations. Moreover, understanding the mating system of the California sheephead illustrates the need for creating management strategies that better complement the unique life histories of marine fishes with alternative reproductive strategies.