cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825606.v2
title: Behavioural patterns of a Tiger Shark (<i>Galeocerdo cuvier</i>) feeding aggregation at a blue whale carcass in Prony Bay, New Caledonia

description: Tiger Sharks, <i>Galeocerdo cuvier</i>, are large top-level predators usually solitary as adults. Observation of their scavenging activity on the carcass of a dead whale offered a rare opportunity for better understanding the pattern of intra-specific behaviour within the aggregations of these large predators. In January 2002, the stranding, subsequent death and consumption of a 17.4 m total length (TL) blue whale, <i>Balaenoptera musculus</i>, was observed and filmed in Prony Bay, southern New Caledonia. After three weeks of confinement in the bay, the cetacean was killed by adult bullsharks <i>Carcharhinus leucas</i>. The first adult Tiger Shark was subsequently observed around the carcass after 36 h. The fat slicks from the carcass attracted further Tiger Sharks which arrived after an additional 24 h. The use of photo-identification on video footage collected during four observation sessions over an eight-day period identified 46 individual Tiger Sharks (primarily adult females between 3.3 and 4 m TL) participating in the feeding aggregation. Only four animals were identified in two seperate observation sessions (over two consecutive days), suggesting a short-term residency pattern of several hours (&lt;36 h) around the carcass. As the arrival time of Tiger Sharks to the carcass differed, most arrivals of a new participant were followed by a frenzied period of intense intra-specific interaction. Different biting and agonistic behaviours were demonstrated by the Tiger Sharks on the carcass, including three new behaviours previously undescribed for this species. Size and level of aggressiveness appeared to be the determining factors of dominance amongst Tiger Sharks. These observations and analysis demonstrate that systematic study of feeding aggregations supported by photo-identification could contribute to knowledge of large shark ecology when coupled with capture-recapture, genetic fingerprinting and tagging techniques. Clip 1 - Feeding frenzy
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825606.v1
title: Behavioural patterns of a Tiger Shark (<i>Galeocerdo cuvier</i>) feeding aggregation at a blue whale carcass in Prony Bay, New Caledonia

description: Tiger Sharks, <i>Galeocerdo cuvier</i>, are large top-level predators usually solitary as adults. Observation of their scavenging activity on the carcass of a dead whale offered a rare opportunity for better understanding the pattern of intra-specific behaviour within the aggregations of these large predators. In January 2002, the stranding, subsequent death and consumption of a 17.4 m total length (TL) blue whale, <i>Balaenoptera musculus</i>, was observed and filmed in Prony Bay, southern New Caledonia. After three weeks of confinement in the bay, the cetacean was killed by adult bullsharks <i>Carcharhinus leucas</i>. The first adult Tiger Shark was subsequently observed around the carcass after 36 h. The fat slicks from the carcass attracted further Tiger Sharks which arrived after an additional 24 h. The use of photo-identification on video footage collected during four observation sessions over an eight-day period identified 46 individual Tiger Sharks (primarily adult females between 3.3 and 4 m TL) participating in the feeding aggregation. Only four animals were identified in two seperate observation sessions (over two consecutive days), suggesting a short-term residency pattern of several hours (&lt;36 h) around the carcass. As the arrival time of Tiger Sharks to the carcass differed, most arrivals of a new participant were followed by a frenzied period of intense intra-specific interaction. Different biting and agonistic behaviours were demonstrated by the Tiger Sharks on the carcass, including three new behaviours previously undescribed for this species. Size and level of aggressiveness appeared to be the determining factors of dominance amongst Tiger Sharks. These observations and analysis demonstrate that systematic study of feeding aggregations supported by photo-identification could contribute to knowledge of large shark ecology when coupled with capture-recapture, genetic fingerprinting and tagging techniques.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825593
title: Primary aromatic amines (PAAs) in black nylon and other food-contact materials, 2004–2009

description: Primary aromatic amines (PAAs) were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in migrates from 234 samples of food-contact materials, including black nylon (polyamide) kitchen utensils (<i>n</i> = 136), coloured plastics (28), and clear/printed multilayer film/laminates (41), from retailers, importers, and food producers. A further 29 utensils in use were obtained from colleagues. Very high PAA migration was found from black nylon kitchen utensils to the food simulant 3% acetic acid: the ‘non-detectable’ limit (20 µg aniline equivalents kg<sup>−1</sup> food) was exceeded by up to 2100 times. All the other materials were compliant. The majority of the non-compliant utensils came from China. The predominant PAAs were aniline and 4,4′-methylenedianiline (4,4′-MDA). The frequency of violations decreased from the year 2004 (55%) to the autumn of 2005 (13%), possibly due to increased demands for in-house documentation, but they remained almost constant from 2005 to 2009. The validity of the results was shown by recovery studies, participation in proficiency testing, and comparative testing of utensils by two laboratories. Migration modelling was used to compare how various compliance migration test conditions influenced the final test results. Long-term release of PAAs was fitted by diffusion modelling experiments and long-term release was also seen as expected from used utensils. Toxicologists consider these migration levels of the suspected carcinogenic PAAs as a problem of major concern.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825594
title: A critical revision of the churchill snoutfish, genus <i>Petrocephalus</i> Marcusen, 1854 (Actinopterygii: Teleostei: Mormyridae), from southern and eastern Africa, with the recognition of <i>Petrocephalus tanensis</i>, and the description of five new species

description: We morphologically and genetically studied the southern African electric fish <i>Petrocephalus catostoma</i>, or churchill, and its six nominal species, five of which by synonymization (three valid subspecies). We reinstate the synonymized species, and recognize <i>Petrocephalus tanensis</i> (Whitehead and Greenwood, 1959) from the Tana River in Kenya, also using electric organ discharges. The Okavango delta (Botswana) is inhabited by <i>Petrocephalus okavangensis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> and <i>Petrocephalus magnitrunci</i><b>sp. nov.</b>, and the Namibian Cunene River by <i>Petrocephalus magnoculis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> We recognize <i>Petrocephalus petersi</i><b>sp. nov.</b> for the Lower Zambezi River (Mozambique), and <i>Petrocephalus longicapitis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> for the Upper Zambezi River (Namibia). The Lufubu River in Northern Zambia is inhabited by <i>Petrocephalus longianalis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> For the southern churchill, <i>Petrocephalus wesselsi</i> Kramer and Van der Bank, 2000, we confirm intraspecific and interspecific differentiation. Sequence data from mitochondrial DNA confirm differentiation of two new western and two eastern species, forming mutual sister groups.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825596
title: Weakly electric fish for biomonitoring water quality

description: Environmental pollution is a major issue that calls for suitable monitoring systems. The number of possible pollutants of municipal and industrial water grows annually as new chemicals are developed. Technical devices for pollutant detection are constructed in a way to detect a specific and known array of pollutants. Biological systems react to lethal or non-lethal environmental changes without pre-adjustment, and a wide variety have been employed as broad-range monitors for water quality. Weakly electric fish have proven particularly useful for the purpose of biomonitoring municipal and industrial waters. The frequency of their electric organ discharges directly correlates with the quality of the surrounding water and, in this way, concentrations of toxicants down to the nanomolar range have been successfully detected by these organisms. We have reviewed the literature on biomonitoring studies to date, comparing advantages and disadvantages of this test system and summarizing the lowest concentrations of various toxicants tested. Eighteen publications were identified investigating 35 different chemical substances and using six different species of weakly electric fish.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825593.v1
title: Primary aromatic amines (PAAs) in black nylon and other food-contact materials, 2004–2009

description: Primary aromatic amines (PAAs) were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in migrates from 234 samples of food-contact materials, including black nylon (polyamide) kitchen utensils (<i>n</i> = 136), coloured plastics (28), and clear/printed multilayer film/laminates (41), from retailers, importers, and food producers. A further 29 utensils in use were obtained from colleagues. Very high PAA migration was found from black nylon kitchen utensils to the food simulant 3% acetic acid: the ‘non-detectable’ limit (20 µg aniline equivalents kg<sup>−1</sup> food) was exceeded by up to 2100 times. All the other materials were compliant. The majority of the non-compliant utensils came from China. The predominant PAAs were aniline and 4,4′-methylenedianiline (4,4′-MDA). The frequency of violations decreased from the year 2004 (55%) to the autumn of 2005 (13%), possibly due to increased demands for in-house documentation, but they remained almost constant from 2005 to 2009. The validity of the results was shown by recovery studies, participation in proficiency testing, and comparative testing of utensils by two laboratories. Migration modelling was used to compare how various compliance migration test conditions influenced the final test results. Long-term release of PAAs was fitted by diffusion modelling experiments and long-term release was also seen as expected from used utensils. Toxicologists consider these migration levels of the suspected carcinogenic PAAs as a problem of major concern.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825594.v1
title: A critical revision of the churchill snoutfish, genus <i>Petrocephalus</i> Marcusen, 1854 (Actinopterygii: Teleostei: Mormyridae), from southern and eastern Africa, with the recognition of <i>Petrocephalus tanensis</i>, and the description of five new species

description: We morphologically and genetically studied the southern African electric fish <i>Petrocephalus catostoma</i>, or churchill, and its six nominal species, five of which by synonymization (three valid subspecies). We reinstate the synonymized species, and recognize <i>Petrocephalus tanensis</i> (Whitehead and Greenwood, 1959) from the Tana River in Kenya, also using electric organ discharges. The Okavango delta (Botswana) is inhabited by <i>Petrocephalus okavangensis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> and <i>Petrocephalus magnitrunci</i><b>sp. nov.</b>, and the Namibian Cunene River by <i>Petrocephalus magnoculis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> We recognize <i>Petrocephalus petersi</i><b>sp. nov.</b> for the Lower Zambezi River (Mozambique), and <i>Petrocephalus longicapitis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> for the Upper Zambezi River (Namibia). The Lufubu River in Northern Zambia is inhabited by <i>Petrocephalus longianalis</i><b>sp. nov.</b> For the southern churchill, <i>Petrocephalus wesselsi</i> Kramer and Van der Bank, 2000, we confirm intraspecific and interspecific differentiation. Sequence data from mitochondrial DNA confirm differentiation of two new western and two eastern species, forming mutual sister groups.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825588
title: Oxidative DNA damage is important to the evolution of antibiotic resistance: evidence of mutation bias and its medicinal implications

description: Several<sup>1</sup> studies have revealed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by antibacterial stimulation accelerates the evolution of antibiotic resistance, which uncovered new links between oxygen rise and evolution and inspired new strategies to prevent antibiotic resistance. Considering many other mechanisms cause DNA mutations aside from ROS damage, evaluating the significance of oxidative DNA damage in the development of antibiotic resistance is of great interest. In this study, we examined the ratio of G:C &gt; T:A transversion to G:C &gt; A:T transition in drug-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> and found that it is significantly higher than the background values. This finding strongly suggests that ROS damage plays a critical role in the development of antibacterial resistance. Considering the long-term co-evolution between host organisms and pathogenic bacteria, we speculate that the hosts may have evolved strategies for combating antibiotic resistance by controlling DNA damage in bacteria. Analysis of the global transcriptional profiles of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> treated with berberine (derived from <i>Berberis</i>, a traditional antibacterial medicine) revealed that the transcription of DNA repair enzymes was markedly upregulated, whereas the antioxidant enzymes were significantly downregulated. Thus, we propose that consolidating the DNA repair systems of bacteria may be a viable strategy for preventing antibiotic resistance. <sup>1</sup>These authors contributed equally to this work.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825596.v2
title: Weakly electric fish for biomonitoring water quality

description: Environmental pollution is a major issue that calls for suitable monitoring systems. The number of possible pollutants of municipal and industrial water grows annually as new chemicals are developed. Technical devices for pollutant detection are constructed in a way to detect a specific and known array of pollutants. Biological systems react to lethal or non-lethal environmental changes without pre-adjustment, and a wide variety have been employed as broad-range monitors for water quality. Weakly electric fish have proven particularly useful for the purpose of biomonitoring municipal and industrial waters. The frequency of their electric organ discharges directly correlates with the quality of the surrounding water and, in this way, concentrations of toxicants down to the nanomolar range have been successfully detected by these organisms. We have reviewed the literature on biomonitoring studies to date, comparing advantages and disadvantages of this test system and summarizing the lowest concentrations of various toxicants tested. Eighteen publications were identified investigating 35 different chemical substances and using six different species of weakly electric fish.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825588.v1
title: Oxidative DNA damage is important to the evolution of antibiotic resistance: evidence of mutation bias and its medicinal implications

description: Several<sup>1</sup> studies have revealed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by antibacterial stimulation accelerates the evolution of antibiotic resistance, which uncovered new links between oxygen rise and evolution and inspired new strategies to prevent antibiotic resistance. Considering many other mechanisms cause DNA mutations aside from ROS damage, evaluating the significance of oxidative DNA damage in the development of antibiotic resistance is of great interest. In this study, we examined the ratio of G:C &gt; T:A transversion to G:C &gt; A:T transition in drug-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> and found that it is significantly higher than the background values. This finding strongly suggests that ROS damage plays a critical role in the development of antibacterial resistance. Considering the long-term co-evolution between host organisms and pathogenic bacteria, we speculate that the hosts may have evolved strategies for combating antibiotic resistance by controlling DNA damage in bacteria. Analysis of the global transcriptional profiles of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> treated with berberine (derived from <i>Berberis</i>, a traditional antibacterial medicine) revealed that the transcription of DNA repair enzymes was markedly upregulated, whereas the antioxidant enzymes were significantly downregulated. Thus, we propose that consolidating the DNA repair systems of bacteria may be a viable strategy for preventing antibiotic resistance. <sup>1</sup>These authors contributed equally to this work.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825583
title: Micelle-bound conformations of neurohypophyseal hormone analogues modified with a Cα-disubstituted residue: NMR and molecular modelling studies

description: In this study, by applying a combined approach of NMR measurements and molecular modelling, the conformations and the interactions with membrane-like environment of five arginine vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin (OT) analogues modified with Cα-disubstituted <i>cis</i>-1-amino-4-phenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid in position 2 have been determined. In addition, the AVP analogues were prepared in <i>N</i>-acylated forms with various bulky acyl groups. All of the peptides studied interacted with the mixed dodecylphosphocholine:sodium dodecyl sulphate micelle, providing a model of biological membrane. A different polarities of the AVP- and OT-like peptides resulted in their different position relative to the micelle surface. Thus, the arrangement of the former was nearly perpendicular, whereas the latter was rather parallel to the micelle's surface. Moreover, the results of our studies have shown that the binding sites for antagonists may be overlapped with that for agonists, as well as it may be quite different. Nevertheless, the aromatic–aromatic contacts represent the most important interactions for antagonists, whereas the hydrophilic interactions seem to be crucial for agonists.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825583.v1
title: Micelle-bound conformations of neurohypophyseal hormone analogues modified with a Cα-disubstituted residue: NMR and molecular modelling studies

description: In this study, by applying a combined approach of NMR measurements and molecular modelling, the conformations and the interactions with membrane-like environment of five arginine vasopressin (AVP) or oxytocin (OT) analogues modified with Cα-disubstituted <i>cis</i>-1-amino-4-phenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid in position 2 have been determined. In addition, the AVP analogues were prepared in <i>N</i>-acylated forms with various bulky acyl groups. All of the peptides studied interacted with the mixed dodecylphosphocholine:sodium dodecyl sulphate micelle, providing a model of biological membrane. A different polarities of the AVP- and OT-like peptides resulted in their different position relative to the micelle surface. Thus, the arrangement of the former was nearly perpendicular, whereas the latter was rather parallel to the micelle's surface. Moreover, the results of our studies have shown that the binding sites for antagonists may be overlapped with that for agonists, as well as it may be quite different. Nevertheless, the aromatic–aromatic contacts represent the most important interactions for antagonists, whereas the hydrophilic interactions seem to be crucial for agonists.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825578
title: Feeding in the megalopae of the mud crab (<i>Scylla paramamosain</i>): mechanisms, plasticity, role of chelipeds and effect of prey density

description: We used microscopic video records to analyse the behaviour of mud crab megalopae (<i>Scylla paramamosain</i>) fed on rotifers (<i>Brachiomus</i> spp.), <i>Artemia</i> sp. or copepods (<i>Schmackeria dubin</i>). The megalopae were able to capture prey whose sizes ranged from no larger than <i>Artemia</i> nauplii to no smaller than adult <i>Artemia</i>. The megalopae employed three feeding modes: (1) Ambush-Prey mode, (2) Swim-Suspension-Feed mode and (3) Sit-Sweep mode. These involved raptorial feeding, suspension feeding and an in-between raptorial-suspension feeding mode, depending on the size of the prey and their density in the surrounding water. The chelipeds played an important role in feeding. Megalopae used the chelipeds to grip or sweep prey items and their movement generated eddies that can increase feeding efficiency. To verify the contribution of the chelipeds to feeding efficiency, we observed and compared the animals under three cheliped treatment regimes: (1) Autotomized – chelipeds removed by induced autotomy; (2) Glued – chelipeds glued at the dactylus-propodus joint to eliminate their ability to grip; and (3) Control – normal chelipeds. The feeding rates of the autotomized and glued treatments were lower than those of the controls, demonstrating that the chelipeds assist in feeding but that the megalopae can still feed without them. The density of prey also affected feeding efficiency. Feeding rate and prey density were positively correlated. When prey density was high, megalopae were able to feed in excess of their nutritional requirements. The study shows that mud crab megalopae respond flexibly to variations in feeding conditions, such as damaged chelipeds, as well as prey size and density. We postulate that this plasticity evolved in response to the dilute and patchy prey conditions of the estuarine environment. All the analysed behaviours are illustrated with video sequences.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825579
title: Heterotrophy in recruits of the scleractinian coral <i>Pocillopora damicornis</i>

description: Heterotrophy is essential for meeting the metabolic requirements of scleractinian corals but the feeding mechanisms of coral juveniles are poorly understood. In this study, we observed that two-day-old <i>Pocillopora damicornis</i> recruits were able to immobilize and capture <i>Artemia salina</i> nauplii that come into direct contact with their tentacles. The recruits were able to consume up to six nauplii h<sup>−1</sup> and the shortest time required to fully ingest one nauplius was 1 min 25 s. This is the first study to describe the feeding mechanisms employed by coral recruits, and provided both observational and quantitative evidence to show that coral juveniles are able to commence heterotrophy at an early stage.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.825580
title: Vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of mesozooplankton in the Iceland Basin

description: The abundance and seasonal vertical distribution of dominant zooplankters in the Iceland Basin was studied from data collected on four cruises between November 1996 and June 1997. Copepods were by far the most abundant group, making up ∼70% or more of the mesozooplankton. Two species constituted &gt;90% of the copepod biomass: <i>Calanus finmarchicus</i> and <i>Pareuchaeta norvegica</i>. A seasonal migration pattern was evident in <i>C. finmarchicus</i>, <i>P. norvegica</i>, <i>Oithona</i> spp., and <i>Metridia lucens</i>: from December to February they inhabited the deeper layers, whereas from April to June they were most abundant in the upper layers. The vertical distribution of <i>Pleuromamma robusta</i> was rather similar year round. <i>Oncaea</i> spp. stayed deep during winter, but only a limited part of the population rose to upper waters during the summer. The reproduction of <i>C. finmarchicus</i> took place in May in the surface layers and it was linked to the phytoplankton spring bloom. In contrast, the reproduction of <i>P. norvegica</i> occurred at depth in February and was uncoupled to the spring bloom. <i>Calanus hyperboreus</i> is an expatriate in the Iceland Basin that does not reproduce there. The data on <i>Oithona</i> spp. and <i>Oncaea</i> spp. indicate that the former group reproduces between April and June in the upper layers, whereas the latter appears to reproduce year round at depth. As judged by the incidence of adults of both sexes the reproduction of <i>M. lucens</i> took place in spring and summer. The breeding of <i>P. robusta</i> was probably not confined to a particular season of the year.