Detection, interpretation, prediction and management of environmental disturbances: some roles for experimental marine ecology

The use of multivariate techniques to quantify spatlal and temporal patterns in assemblages requires decisions about the resolution to wlhich taxa are identified Sim~lar spatial patterns in assemblages are often found whether coarse or fine levels of taxonomic resolution are used. Whether coarser resolution retains patterns of relative difference In assemblages between habitats at a hicrarchy of spatial scales has not been widely examined. Where organisms are patchy at many spatial scales, numerous replicates are needed to represent assemblages adequately Identifying taxa into broad groups is generally quicker and cheaper than identification to species, so coarser resolution may release limited resources for the intensive sampling necebsdry for populations of highly dispersed and patchy organisms. In this study, intertidal epifaunal assemblages in urban mangrove forests were examined at scales of metres, tens of metres and hundreds of metres using 2 different levels of taxonomic resolution 93 taxa and 9 broad groups. Bray-Curtis measures of dissimilarity were also compared between the 2 levels of taxonomic resolution to test the hypothesis that quantitative differences in the assemblages at a hierarchy of spatial scales were retained with different levels of taxonomic resolution. Assemblages varied at each spatial scale. Similar patterns were obtained at each level of taxonomic resolution because the Bray-Curtis measures of dissimilarity were strongly correlated between the 2 1evc:ls. More variable sites, as identified using one level of taxonomic resolution, were also more variable using a different level of taxonomic resolution. Also, sites that were similar to each other when 93 taxa were used remained similar when the taxa were grouped into 9 groups. Transforming the data to the fourth root retained patterns of differences between sites, but altered patterns of variability within sites. The relative value of putting limited resources into increasing the size of the sample as opposed to increased taxonomic resolution in such habitats is discussed.

/pdf/relationships-between-spatial-patterns-of-benthic-gidyn07yuy.pdf

Relationships between spatial patterns of benthic assemblages in a mangrove forest using different levels of taxonomic resolution

This paper reviews the ecology of soft-sediment macro-invertebrates and, in particular, evaluates how much progress has been made in the recent literature towards elaborating statistical models of the ecology of these biota and in using quantitative predictions derived from these models. Steps to formulating statistical models on the dynamics of populations and assemblages are discussed. Current models are mostly conceptual (∼70% of studies surveyed), falling into 2 main classes: population dynamics (including recruitment, mortality, dispersal and availability of patches) and process-orientated studies (including the response of individuals to the physical environment, biogenic habitat modification, biological interactions and physical perturbations). Most recent studies were descriptive or on the population dynamics of species and were undertaken mostly at spatial scales of up to 1 km and temporal scales of months. The development of statistical models appears to be impeded by the limited scope of studies, an over-emphasis on conceptual models (but recognizing an important role for a rigorous experiment framework) and a difficulty in using outcomes from small-scale processes at the level of individual organisms to predict larger scale outcomes where many interactions contribute to variation in abundances. Currently, few studies undertake field assessments of the defining characteristics of habitats, the dynamics of those habitats and the relative importance of different habitats to individual populations. Much urgent work is required to develop large scale (space: > I km; time: > I years) statistical models. This is because attention needs to be given to those interactions and processes in the ecological systems that will provide for the greatest reduction in uncertainty in the quantitative predictions derived from these models.

Ecology of benthic macro-invertebrates in soft-sediment environments : A review of progress towards quantitative models and predictions

Diversity and structure of copepod assemblages were investigated using 259 WP2 zoo- plankton samples collected from the top 200 m of the Atlantic Ocean between 60°N and 63°S. Whilst richness at a number of taxonomic levels (genera-superfamily) demonstrated a smooth latitudinal cline from the tropics towards the poles, other diversity indices such as evenness and taxonomic dis- tinctness showed abrupt changes around 40°N and 40°S, coincident with sea surface temperatures of 17 to 20°C. In the tropics and subtropics, copepod communities were characterised by high stable taxonomic diversity and a relatively even distribution of genera within samples. In contrast, at high latitudes and low temperatures communities showed large variation in overall diversity, evenness and distinctness. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis of transformed generic abundances, pooled into 5° latitudinal means, produced ordinations consistent with the recent subdivision of the oceans into 4 primary biomes based on temporal and spatial patterns of primary production. The copepod community corresponding to the Trades biome, where primary production is broadly con- tinuous, exhibited high generic richness and evenness. In contrast, community structure in the Polar biome, where primary production is highly seasonal, was highly variable and dominated by a few genera. These genera tended to be herbivorous or omnivorous and stored lipid. The Westerlies biome and the Benguela province had intermediate copepod community characteristics. We therefore sug- gest that copepod diversity and community structure are closely tied not to temperature or energy input, but to the temporal patterns of primary and secondary production.

/pdf/large-scale-patterns-in-diversity-and-community-structure-of-3fajsf2kc4.pdf

Large-scale patterns in diversity and community structure of surface water copepods from the Atlantic Ocean

Taxonomic sufficiency: an overview of its use in the monitoring of sublittoral benthic communities after oil spills

/pdf/sieve-mesh-size-and-taxonomic-resolution-needed-to-describe-1jo0wrdvbd.pdf

Sieve mesh-size and taxonomic resolution needed to describe natural spatial variation of marine macrofauna

Background Despite public inquiries, and some changes to legislation following high-profile multiple homicides that were not detected by autopsy, coroners continue to rely largely on the autopsy. Regardless of the extent of quality failings and excess deaths at some hospitals, not detected through the coroner system, the autopsy is scarcely used by hospitals to monitor standards and educate. Objective To explore when a compulsory medicolegal autopsy should, and should not, be used. Method Two hundred and thirty-six cases referred to a senior coroner were evaluated by pathologists with long experience of forensic, coronial and hospital autopsies, using detailed antecedent medical and circumstantial information: after their advice, the senior coroner decided what kind of autopsy provided sufficient information for his purposes. Results In nearly 40% (n=88) of deaths where the senior coroner accepted jurisdiction, issues raised could be resolved through analysis of medical records and antecedent information, supplemented only by detailed external examination of the body. Conclusions Timely provision of sufficient information allows informed decisions about the requirement for, and nature and extent of, medical investigations into a death: unnecessary post mortem dissection is avoided, protecting the rights, under Articles 8 and 9 of the Human Rights Act 1998, of the bereaved to privacy, family life and religious practice. Although improvements in healthcare can undoubtedly result from detailed coroners’ inquiries, those deaths where the matters investigated relate only to the accuracy of a natural cause of death or sit with a healthcare provider’s internal quality assurance, should be investigated by the healthcare system in collaboration with the bereaved.

https://jcp.bmj.com/content/jclinpath/71/1/27.full.pdf

How can we ensure that the coroner's autopsy is not an invasion of human rights?

AIMS To describe whether haemorrhage into the fracture gap, bone marrow, or periosteum, and loss of osteocyte nuclei from infant rib fracture margins, are true markers of vitality or may be seen solely as a consequence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts. METHODS AND RESULTS A description is provided of histological findings in sampled rib fractures in a retrospective consecutive series of infants, aged 1 month to 1 year, who suffered sudden death. All had undergone cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and were investigated by use of skeletal survey, whole body computed tomography (CT), and invasive postmortem (PM). There was no suspicion of child abuse. 15 infants were studied, 9 of whom had anterior/anterolateral rib fractures; slides were available with consent for use in seven. Skeletal survey identified no fractures. CT and PM showed 46 fractures, 27 of which were examined histologically. Marrow cavity haemorrhage> 2 mm in diameter was seen in 55% of fractures; easily identifiable red cells were seen in the fracture gap in 36%, and beneath the periosteum in 36%. Loss of intact osteocytes from lacunae in bone fragments at the fracture margins relative to distant areas was obvious in 50% of fractures. CONCLUSIONS Anterior rib fractures, visible on CT and histologically, are common after CPR in infants. Empty lacunae and bleeding into the fracture gap, into the marrow cavity and beneath the periosteum are all frequent in CPR-related infant rib fractures, and should not be used to discriminate between true in-vivo injury and perimortem injury.

Rib histology after unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation in infants suffering sudden death from natural causes; implications for injury mechanism and timing.

This paper describes the development of a specialist forensic post‐mortem room, complete with digital imaging facilities, by the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. It gives the background to the development of the facility, and briefly details the specifications before discussing the use of digital imaging in evidence and the need for a full‐time specialist forensic medical photographer.

Digital Imaging in the Forensic Post‐Mortem Room

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Sieve mesh-size and taxonomic resolution needed to describe natural spatial variation of marine macrofauna

How can we ensure that the coroner's autopsy is not an invasion of human rights?

Rib histology after unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation in infants suffering sudden death from natural causes; implications for injury mechanism and timing.

Digital Imaging in the Forensic Post‐Mortem Room