Island Off Research Articles

A new insular species of Gehyra (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Papua New Guinea closely related to Gehyra oceanica

The wide-ranging gecko Gehyra oceanica occupies numerous islands across much of the Pacific Ocean basin. Previous work has identified six divergent genetic lineages within lizards assigned to this species. During an expedition to islands off of northern New Guinea we collected lizards of this complex on Crown Island that differ from all other known Gehyra in being sexually dimorphic in colour pattern. We find this population to also be genetically divergent to the other lineages previously identified, as we do with another lineage of populations from nearby islands. Given the unique colour pattern of the Crown Island population, combined with its divergent range of precloacal-femoral pores in males and its phylogenetic uniqueness from other members of this complex, we describe this population as a new species, Gehyra corona sp. nov. currently known only from Crown Island, Papua New Guinea. The discovery of this new species and an additional divergent genetic lineage from within the G. oceanica complex highlights the need for further taxonomic revision of that species complex. It seems likely that the new species we identify will prove endemic to Crown Island, but additional islands from around the Bismarck Sea need survey to establish its full range. Given the undisturbed habitat on most of Crown Island and the low human population there, we suggest that this species’ IUCN Red List conservation status be Least Concern. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:299432A3-6AC1-408D-9CCD-ECCB054A78FF

Frontal effects on the rapid formation of a deep layer of marine fog and cloud in the NW Atlantic

AbstractRapid formation of a deep layer of fog and clouds extending to a height of 2 km was observed over Sable Island off Nova Scotia on 13–14 July 2019. This fog and cloud event was dominantly caused by the rapid intrusion of a trough from a cyclone over NE Canada. The trough quickly moved from SW–W to E–NE and encroached on the coastal waters of Nova Scotia. Due to the warm front in the trough, the air temperature increased up to 4 km in height with increased stability, while the sea‐level pressure at Sable Island dropped by 11 hPa within 12 hours. The moderate to strong winds turned counterclockwise from the N to the SE, converging with the SE winds maintained by the ridge located to the east. There was no indication of an advection‐type fog mechanism because the surface air temperature was not adjusted to the colder sea‐surface temperature that could have resulted in saturation of the surface air. The leading portion of a massive cloud band in the trough passing over Sable Island included precipitation before fog formation. The rain that evaporated in the unsaturated and warm subcloud layer effectively reduced the air temperature and significantly increased the wet‐bulb temperature in this layer. The cloud extended into the moist subcloud layer, while fog formed at 1400 UTC 13 July and lasted until 2327 UTC 13 July (with two brief periods of mist lasting less than two hours). The development of this deep layer of fog and cloud in the NW Atlantic was caused by evolving synoptic conditions through the simultaneous effects of a rapid trough intrusion over coastal waters with a massive cloud band, induced precipitation causing cloud deepening into the subcloud layer, and surface wind convergence forcing vertical mixing in a stable marine boundary layer.

First records of Herald Petrel Pterodroma heraldica on Phillip Island (Norfolk Island Group)

The Herald Petrel Pterodroma heraldica is a medium-sized gadfly petrel that breeds primarily on islands across the tropical and subtropical South Pacific Ocean. Its only confirmed breeding site in the Australasian region is Raine Island off North Queensland, where it occurs in very small numbers. Here we report on the presence of a Herald Petrel ashore on Phillip Island (Norfolk Island Group) in June 2021, and subsequent sightings in May and June 2022. On most occasions that a Herald Petrel was observed on the ground, it was seen under a shrub, behaviour which is consistent with prospecting for a nest site in this surface-nesting species. These sightings make Phillip Island one of just four locations in Australian territory at which the Herald Petrel has been recorded ashore away from Raine Island. Our new records reinforce the importance of active island restoration and the value of long-term intensive monitoring efforts. Future observations will confirm whether the species attempts to establish on Phillip Island, a location free from introduced predators and with ample suitable habitat.

Local diver knowledge reveals decline in scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) at seamounts in the southwestern Gulf of California

The Gulf of California is a marginal sea that has seen widespread species declines due to fishing. The scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) is a semi-pelagic species that form large schools at seamounts where they refuge during the day. El Bajo seamount off Espíritu Santo Island and Las Animas seamount off San José Island in the southern Gulf of California are long-established scuba-dive destinations for observing S. lewini. In this study local scuba-diver knowledge was used to determine changes in S. lewini school abundance over a 50 year period between 1970 and 2020. The abundance of S. lewini encountered per dive at El Bajo was reported to have significantly declined, falling by 97%, from an average of 150 sharks in the 1970 s to 5 sharks in the 2010 s and at Las Animas by 100%, from an average of 100 sharks in the 1970 s to 0 sharks in the 2010 s. A shifting baseline was evident and there was a significant relationship between the year participants had first dived the seamounts and the number they considered to be a ‘very abundant’ school of S. lewini (GAM p < 0.001). This study demonstrates the importance of collecting local ecological knowledge to document declines in species populations, especially for S. lewini which is currently listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.

Distribution of Thereuonema tuberculata (Wood, 1862) (Chilopoda, Scutigeromorpha, Scutigeridae) in Hokkaido, Japan

Thereuonema tuberculata (Wood, 1862), a centipede, is distributed mainly in Asia. In Japan, T. tuberculata is found throughout Honshu Island and southwards, although less commonly to the north on Hokkaido. Our survey additionally showed that this species occurs commonly at altitudes of 0&amp;ndash;540 m on Hokkaido. The northern limit of this species in Japan seems to be Nakagawa Town, Hokkaido. Thereuonema tuberculata was also collected on isolated islands off southwestern Hokkaido. Although previous studies have suggested distribution of T. tuberculata in Hokkaido is anthropogenic, it may be natural.

Energy Storage Management of a Solar Photovoltaic–Biomass Hybrid Power System

Remote areas that are not within the maximum breakeven grid extension distance limit will not be economical or feasible for grid connections to provide electrical power to the community (remote area). An integrated autonomous sustainable energy system is a feasible option. We worked on a novel multi optimization electrical energy assessment/power management system of a microgrid network that adopted combined dispatch, load-following, and cycle-charging strategies (control system) that acted as a power interface module over the hybrid configuration of energy sources (grid network/downdraft biomass generator/solar photovoltaic), thermal load controller-boiler systems, and hybrid energy-storage technologies (lithium, iron flow, sodium sulfur, and flywheel) to enable the microgrid network to operate in the island (off grid), grid, and island-able (ability to isolate itself when it is connected to the grid network) modes efficiently and effectively. An optimal multitask control algorithm and the storage units of modeled power generation sources were executed with the HOMER software application to improve the energy system’s efficiency, promote effective storage management, minimize energy loss, and improve the lifespan of the microgrid network. The integrated energy system can work for both rural and urban areas.

Linguistic landscape and place-making on a resort island in China

ABSTRACT This paper presents research on the dynamic relationship between linguistic landscape and place-making. Through the lens of tourism, it scrutinises the language on public transport signs, billboards, street names, shop names and commercial posters, as well as public signs of government agencies, on Wailingding Island off China’s southern coast. Its purpose is to explore the question of to what extent and with what characteristics place meaning ‘translates’ into the linguistic landscape. A predominantly qualitative approach is employed. The research finds that the text content of the linguistic landscape is fundamental to making a meaningful place. Its cultural connotation is related to the social environment, manifesting deeper the meaning of a place beyond the displayed content. Nonetheless, the symbolical meaning of the linguistic landscape is fluid, with the subjective consciousness of the creative subject and the cognition, perception and understanding of the linguistic landscape by different agents of interest.

Human decimation caused bottleneck effect, genetic drift, and inbreeding in the Canarian houbara bustard

AbstractAn endangered subspecies of the African houbara bustard, the Canarian houbara (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae), is endemic to the Canary Islands off southern Morocco (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and La Graciosa islands). This population decreased over the last centuries because of hunting and egg collection, and was close to extinction in Lanzarote around the middle of last century. Later, the species recovered because of hunting bans, but in Fuerteventura a significant decline has again occurred in the last decades and houbaras are on the brink of extirpation on that island. We describe the genetic characteristics and recent evolutionary history of this subspecies to provide essential information for the evaluation of the conservation actions implemented and for the development of new measures to prevent further declines and local extirpations. We amplified microsatellite loci to infer genetic variability, population structure, and gene flow. The subspecies exhibited relatively high genetic variability but reduced heterozygosity. In spite of high gene flow among locations and islands, we identified 2 genetic units: 1 comprising La Graciosa and Fuerteventura islands, and the other restricted to Lanzarote. We detected genetic bottlenecks and subsequent inbreeding in both units, with a reduced effective number of alleles in Lanzarote compared to Fuerteventura‐La Graciosa. This genetic structure may be explained by human‐induced historical population declines and an associated bottleneck effect, particularly in Lanzarote. Conservation measures should aim to recover the houbara population of Fuerteventura, improving survival of adults and juvenile productivity, and to ensure that genetic flow continues among breeding locations and islands to recover the original population structure (an unique genetic unit over the range of the species) and prevent further genetic deterioration, which could lead to extirpation of this endemic subspecies.

Macrosymbionts of starfish Echinaster luzonicus (Gray, 1840) in the waters of a volcanic western Pacific island.

During an investigation program of faunal diversity in the shallow reef zone of the active volcanic island off northeastern Taiwan in July and September 2020, numerous individuals of the starfish Echinaster luzonicus (Gray, 1840) were found, and some individuals were found with associated symbionts. Starfish sampling in the 150-m coral reef zone was undertaken at a depth of 8 m through scuba diving. For each type of potential macrosymbiont, both the dorsal and ventral sides were carefully examined. The prevalence of macrosymbionts on the starfish E. luzonicus was recorded. The most common symbiotic organism on E. luzonicus was the ectoparasitic snail Melanella martinii (A. Adams in Sowerby, 1854), followed by the pontoniine shrimp Zenopontonia soror (Nobili, 1904) and the rare polychaete scaleworm Asterophilia carlae Hanley, 1989. The prevalence ratio with host E. luzonicus was low and varied by 8.62% and 4.35%, 6.03% and 0%, and 0.86% and 0.72% in July and September 2020 for M. martinii, Z. soror, and A. carlae, respectively. The present study is the first to discover the scaleworm A. carlae as a macrosymbiont of the tropical starfish E. luzonicus, with a widespread distribution, off Taiwan's northeastern coast, an area influenced by the Kuroshio Current.

A new species of Tharybis (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida: Tharybidae) from northern Taiwan

A new species Tharybis kueishanensis sp. n. (Copepoda: Calanoida: Tharybidae) is described from the inshore surface waters of Kueishan Island off northern Taiwan, which is the first report of Tharybis from the China Seas. Its female is distinguished from the other species of Tharybis by the total body length (1.89-2.12 mm) larger than the other species, the shape of the genital double-somite, which is slightly asymmetrical with a small notch on the distal margin of the right side, and the length of the inner terminal spine of leg 5, which is about 1.5 times of the terminal spiniform projections. The male is distinguished by the presence of 3 triangular projections at the inner middle margin and the tip of the distal segment of the right leg 5.

Under the Mediterranean I: Studies in Maritime Archaeology

Under the Mediterranean I: Studies in Maritime Archaeology

An Automatic Procedure for Forest Fire Fuel Mapping Using Hyperspectral (PRISMA) Imagery: A Semi-Supervised Classification Approach

Natural vegetation provides various benefits to human society, but also acts as fuel for wildfires. Therefore, mapping fuel types is necessary to prevent wildfires, and hyperspectral imagery has applications in multiple fields, including the mapping of wildfire fuel types. This paper presents an automatic semisupervised machine learning approach for discriminating between wildfire fuel types and a procedure for fuel mapping using hyperspectral imagery (HSI) from PRISMA, a recently launched satellite of the Italian Space Agency. The approach includes sample generation and pseudolabelling using a single spectral signature as input data for each class, unmixing mixed pixels by a fully constrained linear mixing model, and differentiating sparse and mountainous vegetation from typical vegetation using biomass and DEM maps, respectively. Then the procedure of conversion from a classified map to a fuel map according to the JRC Anderson Codes is presented. PRISMA images of the southern part of Sardinia, an island off Italy, were considered to implement this procedure. As a result, the classified map obtained an overall accuracy of 87% upon validation. Furthermore, the stability of the proposed approach was tested by repeating the procedure on another HSI acquired for part of Bulgaria and we obtained an overall stability of around 84%. In terms of repeatability and reproducibility analysis, a degree of confidence greater than 95% was obtained. This study suggests that PRISMA imagery has good potential for wildfire fuel mapping, and the proposed semisupervised learning approach can generate samples for training the machine learning model when there is no single go-to dataset available, whereas this procedure can be implemented to develop a wildfire fuel map for any part of Europe using LUCAS land cover points as input.

New Records ofCaudriellaHaman and Huddleston from the Middle and Late Eocene of Neo-Tethys: Taxonomic and Palaeobiogeographic Implications

ABSTRACTThe middle to upper Eocene mixed carbonate-clastic and siliciclastic deposits of the Şevketiye and Keşan formations in northwest Turkey yielded unique assemblages of larger benthic foraminifera, some displaying a typical orbitoidiform test, not comparable to any known taxa in the Palaeogene of the Neo-Tethys. These specimens with a flat, discoidal test, occasionally with an indistinct central depression, possess a central layer of equatorial chambers/chamberlets displaying a cyclical (orbitoidal) growth pattern and thick lateral layers with numerous chamberlets. The megalospheric embryonic apparatus possesses three small chambers (a triconch, the chambers of which are separated by notably thin walls), followed by a large auxiliary chamberlet. These specimens closely correspond to the genus Caudriella Haman and Huddleston and its type-species Margaritella ospinae (Caudri) that has only previously been reported with confidence from the Caribbean region, notably the type locality within the middle Eocene Punta Mosquito Formation at Margarita Island off Venezuela. Caudriella at its type locality also possesses a trilocular embryonic apparatus, which was incorrectly interpreted as arranged in a rectilinear or slightly curved row. The diagnosis of Caudriella is emended and considering the similarities in their equatorial sections with closely associated Linderina Schlumberger, a comparison of their embryonic-nepionic stages is given from the same deposits in NW Turkey and with those from the middle Eocene of the Sulaiman Range (Pakistan) and Kutch (India). A new record of primitive Caudriella is presented from Jamaica. The palaeobiogeographic distribution of Caudriella is reconsidered, being recorded from both the American/Caribbean and the Western Neo-Tethys bioprovinces. Limited data suggest eastward directed dispersal of the genus, even though this would be counter to most of the prevailing surface currents during the Eocene.

First report of the order Mysida (Crustacea) in Antarctic marine ice caves, with description of a new species of Pseudomma and investigations on the taxonomy, morphology and life habits of Mysidetes species.

SCUBA diving explorations of three islands off Dumont d’Urville Station at the coast of Adélie Land, East Antarctica, enabled the observation of marine ice caves. Sampling in this unusual habitat yielded a total of three species of Mysidae, altogether previously poorly known or unknown to science. Pseudommakryotroglodytumsp. nov. is described, based on the structure of the antennal scale, telson and on cornea-like lateral portions set off against the main body of eyeplates. Mysidetesilligi is re-established at species level after almost a century in synonymy. Re-descriptions are provided for M.illigi and M.hanseni, based on types and ice cave materials. Keys to the Southern Ocean species of Pseudomma and to the world-wide species of Mysidetes are given.Phylogenetic trees are provided for the genera Pseudomma and Mysidetes. 18S rDNA sequences of P.kryotroglodytum differ from GenBank sequences of other Pseudomma species. First sequence data are given for species of the genus Mysidetes: 18S differs between the two examined species and COI is quite diverse between and within species.We found previously unknown, probably sensorial structures in these ice cave species: in P.kryotroglodytum, the basal segment of the antennula shows a pit-like depression with striated pad on the bottom and a median cyst, connected with the bottom of the eyeplate cleft. M.illigi shows a female homologue of the appendix masculina bearing a field of modified setae. Subsequent investigations demonstrated these structures also in species from other habitats.The feeding apparatus and stomach contents of the three ice cave species point to brushing of small particles (detritus, microalgae) from available surfaces, such as sediment, rock and the ice surface. Differences in the feeding apparatus are very subtle between the two Mysidetes species. The high content of fat bodies in M.hanseni could help it to survive periods of starvation. The large storage volume of the foregut in P.kryotroglodytum points to the collection of food with low nutritional quality and could help to balance strongly fluctuating food availability.Summer specimens of M.hanseni showed a bimodal frequency of developmental stages in the marsupium and bimodal size-frequency distribution of free-living stages. The females with younger brood (embryos) were, on average, larger and carried more marsupial young than those with older brood (nauplioid larvae). All examined incubating and spent females showed (almost) empty foreguts and empty ovarian tubes, suggesting possible semelparity and death following the release of young. The absence of juveniles and immature females from summer samples suggests that growth and accumulation of fat and yolk occur outside ice caves, while such caves could be used by fattened adults as shelter for brooding. A provisional interpretation proposes a biannual life cycle for M.hanseni, superimposed with shifted breeding schedules, the latter characterised by early breeding and late breeding females, probably in response to harsh physical and trophic conditions along the continental coast of Antarctica.

Petrogenesis of Cretaceous volcanic rocks from islands off Fujian Province, East China Sea, and implications for episodic slab rollback of the paleo-Pacific plate

This study constrains the petrogenesis and regional tectono-magmatic evolution of volcanic rocks from Fuying and Dayushan Islands, northeast Fujian Province, southeast (SE) China, using petrological, zircon U–Pb geochronological, whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data. New zircon U–Pb data show that volcanism occurred between 118 and 99 Ma. The volcanic rocks are dominantly alkalic to alkali-calcic, ferroan, and peraluminous in composition, and are characterized by strongly fractionated LREE and HREE, with depletion in Nb, Ta, Sr, and Eu. These features, together with their relatively enriched Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions, imply that the volcanic rocks were derived from ancient lower crust and experienced extensive assimilation and fractional crystallization in the shallow crust. Taking into account previously published data, we conclude that the Fuying and Dayushan volcanic rocks were generated in a back-arc extensional setting in response to episodic slab rollback after flat subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate during the Cretaceous.

New late Eocene and Oligocene plotopterid fossils from Washington State (USA), with a revision of “Tonsala” buchanani (Aves, Plotopteridae)

AbstractWe report new specimens of the Plotopteridae from Washington State (USA), an area where these flightless seabirds underwent significant diversification during the late Eocene and Oligocene. To date, five plotopterid species from western Washington have been formally named. Specimens previously assigned to Tonsala buchanani Dyke, Wang, and Habib, 2011 belong to at least two, but probably even three, different species. One of these, the large-sized “Whiskey Creek specimen” from late Eocene deposits mapped as the Makah Formation, is the oldest known plotopterid and is here tentatively assigned to ?Klallamornis clarki Mayr and Goedert, 2016. Another specimen originally referred to T. buchanani is also likely to belong to a different species and is among the most substantial records for North American plotopterids. We formally transfer T. buchanani to the taxon Klallamornis and show that the only unambiguously identified specimen of the species—the holotype—is currently poorly diagnosed from Klallamornis abyssa Mayr and Goedert, 2016, which is from coeval strata of the Pysht Formation. Although the holotype of K. abyssa is larger than that of K. buchanani, there remains a possibility that plotopterids were sexually dimorphic in size. We describe the first ungual phalanx of a plotopterid, which is referred to K. buchanani, and report previously unknown elements of the large ?K. clarki and the first records of this species from the Lincoln Creek Formation. Current data indicate that plotopterids originated in the middle or late Eocene on islands off western North America, and we hypothesize that the radiation of these birds in the North Pacific Basin may have been related to the evolution of kelp forests.

Egyptian Scarabs Discovered on Kuwait’s Failaka Island and Similar Finds from the Gulf Region

AbstractOver the course of the last three decades, Ancient Egyptian scarabs have been discovered on Failaka Island off Kuwait, as well as at other sites in the Arabian Gulf. A scarab is the most expressive amulet of the cultural identity of ancient Egypt, revealing its influence and its cultural diffusion in the ancient world. Therefore, this paper discusses the reasons for the presence of such exotic products on the island and also answers the question about their origin. Were Failaka scarabs locally manufactured? What is their connection to the Levant? Are they a testimony to the interconnection between ancient Egypt and Arabia?

Johnny Cash International: How and Why Fans Love the Man in Black

Johnny Cash International: How and Why Fans Love the Man in Black

Tephrostratigraphy and Eruption History of Kozushima Volcano, Izu Islands, Central Japan during the Last 30,000 Years

Kozushima is a volcanic island, located in the northern part of the Izu Islands, approximately 170 km SSW of central Tokyo. The volcanism of Kozushima Volcano started at 80-60 ka and formed monogenetic volcanoes. The latest eruption occurred in AD 838, and was associated with the formation of the lava dome and pyroclastic cone of Tenjo-san. In order to contribute to the long-term forecasting of volcanic eruptions on the Izu Islands off Tokyo, the tephrostratigraphy and eruption history of Kozushima Volcano during the last 30,000 years is reconstructed. According to the geological surveys, the widespread Kikai-Akahoya (K-Ah; 7.3 cal ka) and Aira-Tanzawa (AT; 30.0 cal ka) tephras from southern Kyushu, and Niijima-Mukaiyama (Nj-My; AD 886), Niijima-Shikinejima (Nj-Sk; 8 cal ka) and Niijima-Miyatsukayama (Nj-Mt; 12.8 cal ka) tephras from the Niijima Volcano 20 km NNE of Kozushima are recognized. Tephras that also erupted from Kozushima Volcano are Kozushima-Tenjosan (Kz-Tj; AD 838), Kozushima-Ananoyama (Kz-An; 7-9 c), Kozushima-Chichibuyama-A′ (Kz-CbA′; 14-12.8 cal ka), Kozushima-Chichibuyama-A (Kz-CbA; 30-22 cal ka), and Kozushima-Chichibuyama-B (Kz-CbB; ca. 30 ka). Kz-An is formed by the activity of the northern volcanic chains (Kobe-yama–Anano-yama–Hanatate) just before the Tenjo-san eruption. Kz-CbA′ is distributed in southern Kozushima. Source vent and distribution of Kz-CbA′ have not yet been identified. The eruption history of Kozushima volcano over the last 30,000 years is as follows. At ca. 30 ka, Kz-CbB erupted in the central Kozushima, and the Nachi-san dome and Takodo-yama dome formed. At 30-22 ka, the Kz-CbA eruption in the southern Kozushima and the formation of the southern volcanic chain occurred. After the eruption of Kz-CbA′, the formation of the northern volcanic chain was followed by the eruption of Tenjo-san volcano. In addition, the eruption rate of Kozushima volcano is estimated during the last 30,000 years to be approximately 0.06 km3/1000 y in DRE.

Reef foraminifera as bioindicators of coral reef health in southern South China Sea

Pulau Tioman is a famous tourist island off Peninsular Malaysia with beautiful coral reefs. This study aims to assess the health of the coral reefs surrounding Pulau Tioman based on the application of the Foraminifera in Reef Assessment and Monitoring Index (FI). Ten sampling sites around Pulau Tioman were studied with a total of 30 samples. Eight orders, 41 families, 80 genera, and 161 species of benthic foraminifera were identified. The agglutinated type of foraminifera constituted 2–8% of the total assemblages. Calcareous hyaline and porcelaneous groups represented 79% and 19% of the total assemblages, respectively. Symbiont-bearing taxa were the most common foraminifera. The results indicate that most of the sampling sites are conducive for coral reef growth with good recoverability from future stress to the ecosystem. However, several areas with higher coastal development and tourism have reduced water and sediment quality. Therefore, the limit on the number of visitors and tourists should be revised to enable coral growth and health. The FI values in this study showed a positive correlation with good water qualities and a negative correlation with organic matter enrichment. The FI is a good measure to assess the health of a coral reef and can be applied to other reef ecosystems around Malaysia.