Short-distance Translocation Research Articles

Evaluating translocation strategies for box turtles in urbanising landscapes

Context Translocation is a common management strategy for wildlife populations, yet hard-release of reptiles, including box turtles (Terrapene spp.), has often proven ineffective due to homing attempts and wandering. Soft-release translocation has been presented as a possible method for mitigation of the negative effects of hard-release translocation, but studies incorporating standard soft-release strategies have produced mixed results and often see persistent homing attempts by soft-released study animals. Aims The aim of this study was to examine long-term holding (>1 year) of box turtles at an off-site location prior to translocation as a means to reduce homing attempts and wandering commonly observed in immediate-release box turtles. Methods We radiotracked translocated Terrapene carolina triunguis to compare movements of nine immediate-release box turtles and nine box turtles that had been maintained for >1 year at a nearby off-site holding facility (long-term holding) prior to a 750–1000 m translocation. Key results Box turtles held long-term before a short-distance translocation moved significantly shorter distances each day post-release than immediate-release turtles. Turtles held long-term moved in non-directional, random orientations, whereas immediate-release turtles exhibited consistent directionality in movements back towards their initial capture (home) locations. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that turtles held off-site remained within the translocation site more reliably than the immediate-release turtles, which had a higher tendency to home. Implications Long-term holding of turtles prior to translocation could significantly reduce homing responses and wandering, thus increasing translocation efficacy while reducing intensity of post-translocation management.

The First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Genus Litostrophus: Insights into the Rearrangement and Evolution of Mitochondrial Genomes in Diplopoda.

This study presents the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Litostrophus scaber, which is the first mitogenome of the genus Litostrophus. The mitogenome is a circular molecule with a length of 15,081 bp. The proportion of adenine and thymine (A + T) was 69.25%. The gene ND4L used TGA as the initiation codon, while the other PCGs utilized ATN (A, T, G, C) as the initiation codons. More than half of the PCGs used T as an incomplete termination codon. The transcription direction of the L. scaber mitogenome matched Spirobolus bungii, in contrast to most millipedes. Novel rearrangements were found in the L. scaber mitogenome: trnQ -trnC and trnL1- trnP underwent short-distance translocations and the gene block rrnS-rrnL-ND1 moved to a position between ND4 and ND5, resulting in the formation of a novel gene order. The phylogenetic analysis showed that L. scaber is most closely related to S. bungii, followed by Narceus magnum. These findings enhance our understanding of the rearrangement and evolution of Diplopoda mitogenomes.

Cytokinin activity - transport and homeostasis at the whole plant, cell, and subcellular levels.

Cytokinins (CKs) are important plant hormones that regulate a variety of biological processes implicated in plant development and stress responses. Here, we summarize the most recent advances in discovering and characterizing the membrane transporters involved in long- and short-distance translocation of CKs and their significance in CK signal activity. We highlight the discovery of PUP7 and PUP21 tonoplast-localized transporters and propose potential mechanisms for CK subcellular homeostasis. Finally, we discuss the importance of subcellular hormone transport in light of the localization of histidine kinase receptors of CKs at the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane.

Killing them softly: a review on snake translocation and an Australian case study

Human-wildlife conflicts with ‘nuisance’ snakes are becoming more frequent around the world as urbanisation continues to encroach on remaining habitats. In an attempt to mitigate this issue, snakes are often translocated in an uncontrolled fashion, with little to no conservation value. To determine the most appropriate methods of translocation we reviewed the available primary literature on studies performing translocations of snakes. We found two types of translocation: long and short-distance. Based on the welfare of the animals involved and difficulty of achieving success with long-distance translocations, we deduced that short-distance translocations are the most favourable. We also reviewed the literature on a third method - repatriating wild populations of snakes with captive-bred or captive-reared individuals, the results of which were very similar to those of long-distance translocations. In conjunction with a mark recapture study carried out by snake catchers in Darwin, Australia, we use our findings to make suggestions on the most appropriate course of action for the mitigation-based snake catching activities in Australia. The difficulty of ensuring successful outcomes for long distance translocations along with a high mortality rate meant we cannot suggest this as an appropriate method for managing ‘nuisance’ snakes. Instead, we argue that short distance translocations are the most suitable for the welfare of the snakes involved. Nevertheless, no outcome will be more favourable for the snakes than to be simply released within their home range accompanied by a change in attitude of the general public towards a willingness to coexist. Although we focus primarily on Australia our suggested framework can be applied in any country where there is conflict with snakes. Furthermore, should our suggestions be implemented, they are merely a temporary solution to an ongoing problem and we are in desperate need for further research to devise a long-term management plan.

Pedosedimentary and geoarcheological archives from clay-dominated sinkhole infillings in Middle Franconia, Germany

Sinkholes in the karstified Middle Keuper gypsum of Middle Franconia, Germany reveal numerous archeological findings and contain unique pedosedimentary records of landscape development and human-environment interaction during the Holocene. Mudstone-derived high clay contents result in a unique set of sedimentary and pedogenic properties of these archives in that all units exhibit vertic properties. Since the horizons have a polygenic history, detailed field and micromorphological observations, together with laboratory analyses (grain-size, color, iron-pedochemistry) are the basis for a classification of the pedosediments. 14C dating provides a chronological framework for geomorphological stability phases and thus, identified soil-forming processes. The first anthropogenic colluvial sediments of the studied archive date to the Early Bronze Age and accumulated in an initial karst depression. Water saturation caused iron reduction of these early infillings. In the pedosediments above, oxidation and iron release are largely related to changes in the parent material. Here, the soil material contains coarse silt indicating an admixture of nearby periglacial slope deposits. Furthermore, fossil root traces point to a longer time with stable conditions, which we interpret as absence of humans or at least an extended period of fallow land. The superimposed sediments from the Urnfield period are more inhomogeneous and consist of material from the eroded agricultural soils of the surrounding. The characteristics of these pedosediments point to intensified human land use. Pedogenic processes such as iron release, reduction of iron, swelling-shrinking, and short-distance translocation of clay intensively overprinted all soil sediments. In this context, micromorphology proved to be an essential tool for the characterization of polygenesis in terms of soil-forming as well as redepositional processes that lead to the formation of these complex archives. The present study reflects a multi-methodological approach to a rather disregarded type of polygenic terrestrial records. It constitutes an example for the investigation of clayey pedosediments in karstic environments under moderate climate in the frame of a prehistoric geoarcheological setting.

Determining the Suitability of the Jamaican Boa (Chilabothrus subflavus) for Short-Distance Translocation in Cockpit Country, Jamaica

The Jamaican Boa Chilabothrus subflavus (Boidae) is a Jamaican-protected species whose numbers and distribution have declined during the last century. In order to protect Jamaican Boas, translocation has been recommended as a conservation strategy. From December 2010 to November 2012 a short-distance translocation (SDT) of seven resident female Jamaican Boas in Windsor, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica was conducted to assess the effects of SDT on the survivability, home range size and microhabitat use of translocated individuals. A subset of seven resident (non-translocated) Jamaican Boas radiotracked in Windsor from November 2008 to June 2009 was used for comparison to SDT snake data. No mortalities or significant differences in home range size were recorded for SDT as compared to resident female Jamaican Boas in Windsor. Visual detectability was higher for resident as compared to SDT snakes, however, both groups utilized arboreal microhabitats in greater proportion to terrestrial locations. Both groups were found in areas characterized by tall, canopy layer trees with vines and epiphytes, but SDT boas utilized larger trees with greater epiphyte densities than resident snakes. Results suggest short-distance translocation has potential as a management strategy for the conservation of Jamaican Boa populations in Jamaica.

Short-Distance Translocation as a Management Option for Nuisance Maritime Pocket Gophers

Geomys personatus maritimus (Maritime Pocket Gopher) is a genetically distinct subspecies of pocket gopher that occurs only in deep, sandy soils located in Nueces and Kleberg counties of southern Texas. The US Fish and Wildlife Service considers it a species of concern. Pocket gophers are considered a nuisance because they dig burrows and create mounds in landscaped areas. Lethal control options are not advised because of the Maritime Pocket Gopher's rarity status and recent public attitude disfavoring lethal methods. However, short-distance translocation might be a management option, but research to determine its viability is lacking. We captured 15 Maritime Pocket Gophers from athletic fields and commercial properties in Corpus Christi, TX. For all captured gophers, we subcutaneously or intraperitoneally implanted a radio transmitter, translocated the animals to private property within 2 km from their capture site, and radio-tracked their movements for ≤4 months to determine if their behavior and activity differed from 4 control gophers. Subcutaneous transmitters implanted in the scapular region were lost by 86% of the gophers (n = 12 of 14), while 100% (n = 5) of the gophers retained intraperitoneal-implanted transmitters. Relocated Maritime Pocket Gophers did not return to their site of origin. Gopher movements generally were away from their homing lines (i.e., an imaginary line drawn between each translocated gopher's capture site and release site), and they did not become successively closer to their respective sites of capture. Therefore, short-distance translocation has the potential to be a management option for nuisance gophers.

Mitigation-driven translocation effects on temperature, condition, growth, and mortality of Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the face of solar energy development

Given the rapid pace of renewable energy development, there is need to assess impacts of mitigation-driven translocations on sensitive species, including federally protected Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) distributed widely across a global solar energy hotspot. We monitored 215 tortoises over 3years to evaluate translocation effects on temperature, condition, growth, and mortality of tortoises adjacent to the world's largest solar thermal plant located in southern California. On the basis of generalized estimating equation mixed models, maximum daily tortoise temperature increased with environmental temperature then leveled off at highest environmental temperatures for all three groups (translocated, resident, and control) likely due to behavioral thermoregulation. This pattern was consistent among groups, but translocated tortoises had higher average maximum daily temperature and durations above 35°C than resident and control tortoises in the first month post-translocation, with smaller effects in the second and fourth months, and no differences in subsequent years. During the first year, adult translocated males had higher temperatures than females. Average percent changes in body condition and carapace length increased post-translocation for all groups and there were no differences in mortality probability among groups or years. Based on the relatively short-term thermal effects, and lack of negative effects on condition, growth, or mortality, our study suggests relatively minimal impacts following short-distance translocation releases in spring. Our study also serves as a unique example and first step for science-based, mitigation-driven translocations implemented to evaluate and reduce effects of translocation from solar energy development on sensitive species.

Evaluating the thermal effects of translocation in a large-bodied pitviper.

Acute stressors can be costly, often requiring alteration of normal physiological processes to mitigate their effects. Animal translocation may be a very stressful event and result in a reduced ability to maintain homeostasis. The impacts of translocation on the thermal ecology of ectothermic vertebrates, which may rely on preferred habitats for thermoregulation, are currently unknown. In this study, 22 adult male Northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) were implanted with automated temperature loggers and radio-tracked. Snakes were assigned to one of three treatments: translocation, handling control, and undisturbed control. Short-distance translocation (SDT) and handling treatments were applied weekly for 6 weeks. Hourly body temperature (Tb ) was recorded during the course of the study. Mean Tb was impacted in a time-dependent fashion, where translocated snakes had lower mean Tb than handled controls during the first week of the study only, especially the first 24 hr after translocation. Separating the dataset into day and night revealed that this effect was localized to Tb variation during the day only. Variance in temperature was not impacted by translocation or handling. Snake body mass and time of year were the major factors influencing the thermal profiles of these rattlesnakes. Thermal ecology in male rattlesnakes is resilient to SDT, suggesting that they quickly resume normal behaviors following repeated bouts of acute capture stress and disturbance of their spatial ecology. This study provides support for SDT as a safe measure for mitigating human-snake interactions and facilitating conservation practices regarding male snakes, which are the most frequently encountered sex.

Physiological and Behavioral Effects of Repeated Handling and Short-Distance Translocations on Free-Ranging Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus)

Abstract Translocation, a management and conservation strategy used commonly in which animals are moved from their sites of origin to other localities, has proven controversial. We examined the physiological and behavioral impacts of repeated handling and short-distance translocation on rattlesnakes, which are often translocated from areas of human use because of a perceived threat to people. Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) were radiotracked for 2 months, during which time one of three treatments was imposed weekly: translocation, walk and release at that day's capture site (handling control), and undisturbed control. At both the beginning (spring) and the end (summer) of the study, blood samples were obtained before and after an acute handling stressor, and plasma concentrations of corticosterone (CORT) and testosterone (T) were determined. All rattlesnakes showed a CORT stress response, but baseline and stressed concentrations of neither hormone were affected by either translo...

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Colony Initiation Attempts: Translocations and Decoys

Abstract. Within the context of a limited number of Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) breeding sites, promoting new colonies can mitigate localized threats to regional populations. To assess the efficacy of short-distance (∼5 km) translocations and use of decoys to establish new colonies, and thereby increase statewide population viability, research was conducted within the Isles Dernieres archipelago, Louisiana. Translocations of 323 Brown Pelican chicks to an un-colonized island were performed from 2007 to 2009, and from 2008 to 2010, 108 Brown Pelican decoys were deployed on a separate island void of nesting. From 2008 to 2010 band re-sighting surveys detected only one transplanted Brown Pelican chick that returned to the release site. Further, < 1 % of translocated individuals were observed throughout the archipelago, compared to 5% and 9% of banded individuals encountered that fledged from nearby islands. Low detection of translocated Brown Pelicans may be due to translocation stress that can re...

Testing appropriate habitat outside of historic range: The case of Amorpha herbacea var. crenulata (Fabaceae)

In the next century, safeguarding plant species against extinction from complete land conversion may require introducing species to novel locations. Although regulatory agencies caution against translocation outside of known historic ranges, when most wild populations and their habitats have been severely altered few viable options may be available for conserving rare plants. We introduced 345 endangered Amorpha herbacea var. crenulata along a pine rockland/transverse glade gradient with similar attributes to historically known occurrences for south Florida, USA, and monitored their survival and growth for five years. The experimental phase addressed: (1) Is the recipient site suitable for colonisation of this species despite hydrological manipulation in the region? (2) Can translocated plants grow equally well in four microhabitats along a gradient within the recipient site? We characterised soil water content, soil nutrient, and vegetation cover to assess the microhabitats at the recipient site. From 2006 to 2008 plants survived in all four microhabitats, but had highest survival in pineland. Translocated plants grew best in microhabitats with less grass cover and higher P content – the pineland and the restoration glade. Through 2008 we observed consistently higher soil water content with less total vegetation cover in pineland and significantly higher P content in the restoration glade.Using 2006–2008 data, we implemented the adaptive management phase, moving 20 plants from the lowest survival microhabitat to the highest survival microhabitat. This tactic improved the survival of plants by 2011, though growth rates of moved plants did not improve. Short-distance translocation, assessing environmental attributes related to plant survival and growth, quantifying similarity of soil, temperature, precipitation, and community as in this study are recommended to evaluate prospective introduction sites for translocations within or outside of range.

Short and long distance translocations: Movement and survival in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Abstract Background/Question/Methods Human development represents a serious threat to wildlife populations through continued habitat loss and incidental mortality from construction activities. Resource managers responsible for protecting species with legal status or high public profile are faced with difficult decisions on how to best manage populations located in construction zones. One approach to mitigate mortalities is to relocate individuals. The effectiveness of translocation for reptiles and amphibians has been questioned, with studies often reporting higher mortality and increased movements of translocated individuals. Translocations of reptiles and amphibians have primarily involved moving animals long distances, well beyond an individual’s home range. For reptiles this means finding new nesting, foraging, and overwintering sites, which may be problematic. Moving individuals only short distances, within their home range, may reduce those problems. As part of the mitigation plan for a highway construction project in central Maryland, groups of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) were translocated both short distances (&lt;0.5km), and long distances (~5km). To investigate differences in survival and movement patterns among long distance translocation, short distance translocation, and non-translocation groups, I tracked 94 turtles (31 long distance translocation, 29 short distance translocation, and 34 non-translocation) using radio telemetry. Results/Conclusions Eleven animals died during the first activity season after translocation (April through November 2008). The mortalities included two long distance translocation, six short distance translocation, and three non-translocation animals. The causes of mortality included road kill, construction activity, and unknown (1, 4, and 6 mortalities respectively). All construction related mortalities were a result inadequate exclusion fencing to keep turtles from trespassing back onto the construction site. All mortalities due to construction were either non-translocation or short distance translocation animals. Eleven other individuals were located at least once within the construction zone, suggesting that without our intervention mortality rates would have been much higher. Preliminary results for movement show that turtles in the non-translocation group had the lowest average movements while long distance translocation animals had the greatest average movements. Long distance translocation turtles also chose overwintering sites farther away from their initial overwintering sites than either short distance translocation or non-translocation turtles (average distance from original site of 261.8m, 155.6m, and 124.3m respectively). This suggests that movement patterns of short distance translocation turtles are more like native turtles.

Effectiveness of Short‐Distance Translocation and its Effects on Western Rattlesnakes

ABSTRACT Short‐distance translocation (SDT) is commonly used to mitigate snake‐human interactions, yet little is known about its effectiveness or its effects on behavior and welfare of snakes. Between April 2004 and October 2005, we evaluated SDT as a conservation and management tool by investigating how 500‐m SDT affected spatial ecology, body condition, and behavior of western rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) surgically implanted with radiotransmitters in a field study near Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada. Of 14 rattlesnakes subjected to SDT, 12 (85.7%) returned on ≥1 occasion (range 1–7 times) to the general area they were removed from. Rattlesnakes that underwent SDT showed an increase in total distance moved over an active season compared to non‐translocated snakes, but there was no evidence to suggest SDT had an effect on activity range size. There was no evidence to suggest SDT affected body condition, behavior, or mortality rates. Short‐distance translocation to high‐quality undisturbed habitats was unsuccessful as a long‐term solution to snake‐human conflict because most translocated snakes returned to conflict areas within a short time (x̄x = 19.9 ± 8.7 days). However, SDT may be an effective short‐term tool to manage snake‐human conflict in areas where human presence is seasonal or short‐lived if careful attention is paid to species‐specific biological needs, habitat quality at the release site, and the location of the release site in relation to conflict areas.

Behavioral Responses of Northern Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) to Roads and Traffic: Implications for Population Persistence

Bouchard, J., A. T. Ford, F. E. Eigenbrod, and L. Fahrig. 2009. Behavioral responses of northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) to roads and traffic: implications for population persistence. Ecology and Society 14(2): 23. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-03022-140223

Where Species Go, Legal Protections Must Follow

The Policy Forum “Assisted colonizaion and rapid climate change” (O. Hoegh-Guldberg et al. , 18 July, p. [345][1]) proposes moving species outside their historic range to mitigate biodiversity loss induced by climate change. However, this approach will be successful only if legal policies, especially the implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), change as well. Establishing a new population requires both availability of adequate habitat and strong legal protection. Policy-makers should recognize that areas predicted by bioclimatic models to be the most suitable for a species in the long term should now be considered “essential for conservation” under ESA section 3 and therefore designated as critical habitat. This should occur even if these areas are not currently suitable for the species. Designation of new populations established by assisted colonization as “experimental” under ESA section 10(j) should be avoided; this provides weaker protection than exists for naturally occurring populations and will ultimately jeopardize the populations most critical to a species' long-term survival ([1][2]). 1. 1.[↵][3] 1. J. Kostyack, 2. D. Rohlf , Environ. Law Report. 38, 10203 (2008). [OpenUrl][4] # Response {#article-title-2} The letters in response to our Policy Forum highlight many of the risks and consequences of making bad decisions, the logical consideration of which is the focus of our decision framework. The robust risk assessment framework we propose includes assisted colonization as one option among the full array of other strategies available to ecosystem managers. Davidson and Simkanin correctly note that there are serious risks associated with ill-conceived assisted colonization, including the effects on source populations and the impact of translocated organisms at their destinations, which we mentioned in our Policy Forum. It is true that some short-distance translocations will be ill advised for recipient ecosystems and human communities, but the literature indicates that this risk escalates as organisms and ecosystems become more divergent. Evidently, there is no single strategy that will work across the board for all taxa, ecosystems, and regions. This is why we presented a decision framework rather than a prescription. The decision framework allows risks and benefits to be reviewed systematically, prior to any attempt to move species, communities, or ecosystems in response to climate change. Neither Davidson and Simkanin nor Huang acknowledge that the risks of action must be balanced against the risks of inaction, which have frequently been high. During past periods of major climate shifts (changes of 6° to 10°C), the Earth experienced massive changes to the distribution and abundance of its biological systems. Recent temperature increases in many parts of the world exceed those seen during previous shifts ([1][5]). Redistribution in the modern world is also curtailed by human-dominated landscapes, which severely limit the total area of suitable natural habitats and create barriers to dispersal and migration. Even though the risks of translocation may be prohibitive in most situations, to ignore this option as species, communities, or ecosystems dwindle to extinction is not an option. Our framework systematically examines the advantages and risks of assisted colonization along with the full suite of other conservation options. We agree with Chapron and Samelius that policy must be developed to recognize the importance of future habitats for organisms in a world that is changing from decade to decade. Equally important is the necessity for developing new policies that provide protection for newly transferred colonies, especially given that these are intended to be long-term as opposed to experimental translocations. Without the rapid evolution of policy in concert with innovative biological solutions, attempts to move species and communities to new locations ahead of climate change will be doomed to failure. 1. 1.[↵][6] 1. O. Hoegh-Guldberg 2. et al. , Science 318, 1737 (2007). [OpenUrl][7][Abstract/FREE Full Text][8] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1157897 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1. in text [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DEnviron.%2BLaw%2BReport.%26rft.volume%253D38%26rft.spage%253D10203%26rft.atitle%253DENVIRON%2BLAW%2BREPORT%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [5]: #ref-2 [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 1. in text [7]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%26rft.stitle%253DScience%26rft.issn%253D0036-8075%26rft.aulast%253DHoegh-Guldberg%26rft.auinit1%253DO.%26rft.volume%253D318%26rft.issue%253D5857%26rft.spage%253D1737%26rft.epage%253D1742%26rft.atitle%253DCoral%2BReefs%2BUnder%2BRapid%2BClimate%2BChange%2Band%2BOcean%2BAcidification%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1126%252Fscience.1152509%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F18079392%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [8]: /lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6Mzoic2NpIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjEzOiIzMTgvNTg1Ny8xNzM3IjtzOjQ6ImF0b20iO3M6MjU6Ii9zY2kvMzIyLzU5MDQvMTA0OS4yLmF0b20iO31zOjg6ImZyYWdtZW50IjtzOjA6IiI7fQ==

Biological Modeling of Translocation as a Management Tool for a Rock Lobster Fishery

Translocation is a form of sea ranching and involves shifting animals between regions to increase yield or to address sustainability issues. We used a sex and size structured model with yearly time steps to examine the use of translocation for management of the Tasmanian rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) fishery, which is a fishery characterized by spatial heterogeneity in biology and depletion through fishing. Cohorts of undersize lobsters were translocated from four sites of origin to four release sites to explore outcomes under a range of growth rates. Results of translocations were contrasted against estimated yield and egg production if the lobsters had been left at their original site. Gains in yield of greater than 100% of existing yield appear possible through many scenarios, although gains were largest when distances between sites were greatest (from SW to NW Tasmania). Short-distance translocations from deep to shallow water have been proposed to alter market traits of lobsters, but gains in yield from this type of operation appear trivial. Egg production was increased at the release site for all scenarios, indicating that translocation could complement the current policy of rebuilding northern egg production. Translocation appears to offer an alternative management option for increasing yield and could be integrated with other spatial management tools such as regional size limits.

The Economic Feasibility of Translocating Rock Lobsters to Increase Yield

Translocation of undersize rock lobsters Jasus edwardsii from low-growth to high-growth areas has been proposed as a method to improve yield and marketability. The economic feasibility of these operations was examined for translocations by either charter vessels or by fishers retaining their sub-legal catch and releasing these on their return trip to port. Benefit was quantified by the increase in revenue relative to leaving lobsters at their original site, less cost for translocating lobsters. Scenarios were considered feasible when costs per kg gain in yield were below that for quota leased through the market. Lower cost fisher translocations appeared feasible except for short distance translocations from deep to shallow water in the same region. Greatest net benefit occurred from long distance translocations between regions with extreme differences in growth (from SW to NW Tasmania). These operations required vessel charter and led to a net state benefit of Australian169,000 per 5-tonne trip, with internal rates of return approaching 400%. Cost per kg gain in catch for these operations was estimated at less than A3/kg and thus substantially less than the current lease price of around A16/kg. The apparent economic feasibility of translocation provides support for pilot-scale trials.

Homing in Eastern Fence Lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) following short-distance translocation

We conducted an experiment on eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) during August-September 1995 near Los Alamos, New Mexico, (1) to ascertain if lizards that were relocated short distances exhibited homing, (2) to investigate a possible barrier to movement, and (3) to determine the effect of translocating individuals from a trans- plant area on lizards in a recipient area. We relocated 15 of an estimated population of 39 (95% CI 36-45) lizards an average distance of 46 m. Fourteen of 15 translocated lizards returned to within 6.81 (s% = 1.43) m of the original capture location. Movement distances did not vary (F = 0.76; 1,53 df; P = 0.381) between resident and translocated lizards during the pretreatment period and did not vary for resident (F = 2.86; 1,12 df; P = 0.1166), but varied between pretreatment and posttreatment periods for translocated (F = 14.65, 1,7 df, P = 0.0065) lizards. Translocated lizards did not affect the resighting probability of resident lizards (F = 0.96; 1,14 df; P = 0.34), but this may be related to low power (1 - s = 0.15) and translocated lizards moving out of the area quickly.

Quantitative approach to physical and chemical gold mobility in equatorial rainforest lateritic environment

Mobility of gold throughout the global weathering system of Dondo Mobi, South Gabon, has been quantatively addressed by calculating the gold mass transfer during lateritic weathering of auriferous lisvenite, Archean gneiss and Proterozoic schist, and by proposing a thermodynamic approach to gold solubility under equatorial rainforest acidic conditions. Both chemical and short-distance translocation processes govern the mobility of gold and gold particles during the long-term evolution of collapsed open weathering systems, which result from the combined interaction of rock, meteoric water and biological agents. Free gold particles are translocated from the lisvenite-derived soil towards formerly barren Archean gneiss and porous Proterozoic formations derived from schist, to form a 200 m wide supergene gold dispersion halo, which took shape over about 0.86–1.26 million years. Simultaneously with physical translocation of gold, dissolution of gold makes the total balance of gold transfer through the whole weathering system strongly negative, which is the converse of what is generally believed to occur in lateritic systems. Taking into account hydrolysis reactions, three main gold complexes are proposed as a function of corresponding inorganic and organic ligand concentrations. These are: Au(OH) 3(H 2O)°, AuClOH − and Au(OH) 2FA −. These gold complexes leave the Dondo Mobi weathering mantle and move towards the river system in the course of both physical and chemical processes involved in the weathering of the formation.