Myctobase, a circumpolar database of mesopelagic fishes for new insights into deep pelagic prey fields.

The global importance of mesopelagic fish is increasingly recognised, but they remain poorly studied. This is particularly true in the Southern Ocean, where mesopelagic fishes are both key predators and prey, but where the remote environment makes sampling challenging. Despite this, multiple national Antarctic research programs have undertaken regional sampling of mesopelagic fish over several decades. However, data are dispersed, and sampling methodologies often differ precluding comparisons and limiting synthetic analyses. We identified potential data holders by compiling a metadata catalogue of existing survey data for Southern Ocean mesopelagic fishes. Data holders contributed 17,491 occurrence and 11,190 abundance records from 4780 net hauls from 72 different research cruises. Data span across 37 years from 1991 to 2019 and include trait-based information (length, weight, maturity). The final dataset underwent quality control processes and detailed metadata was provided for each sampling event. This dataset can be accessed through Zenodo. Myctobase will enhance research capacity by providing the broadscale baseline data necessary for observing and modelling mesopelagic fishes.

Evaluation of the agreement between focused assessment with sonography for trauma (AFAST/TFAST) and computed tomography in dogs and cats with recent trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the agreement between focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) exams and computed tomography (CT) for the detection of pleural and peritoneal fluid and pneumothorax in animals that have sustained recent trauma. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University Teaching Hospital. ANIMALS: Thirteen dogs and 2 cats were enrolled into the study, with 10 having sustained blunt force trauma and 5 penetrating trauma. INTERVENTIONS: Abdominal FAST (AFAST) and thoracic FAST (TFAST) exams were performed by emergency room (ER) clinician or house officers and radiology house officers (radiology). TFAST evaluated for the presence of pneumothorax and pleural effusion, and AFAST evaluated for the presence of peritoneal effusion. A minimally sedated, full-body CT exam was performed on each patient and interpreted by a board-certified radiologist. The exams were performed in the same order for all patients: ER FAST, followed by radiology FAST, followed by CT, and operators were blinded to the results of the other exams. A kappa statistic was calculated to assess for agreement between the FAST exams and CT. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median time to perform all 3 exams was 55 minutes (range 30-150 min). There was moderate to excellent agreement between AFAST and CT for detection of free peritoneal fluid (ER K = 0.82; radiology K = 0.53), fair to moderate agreement between TFAST and CT for detection of pleural free fluid (ER K = 0.53; radiology K = 0.36), and poor agreement between TFAST and CT for detection of pneumothorax (ER K = -0.06; radiology K = -0.12). CONCLUSIONS: FAST exams reliably identify the presence of free fluid in the peritoneal and pleural cavities; however, TFAST is not a reliable method to diagnose pneumothorax in dogs and cats following trauma.

Acute surgical intervention for a depressed skull fracture causing a laceration to the brain parenchyma from a bite wound in a dog.

A 5-month-old spayed female mixed breed dog was attacked by another dog causing multiple fractures of the left calvarium with a fragment penetrating through the gray matter of the parietal lobe. Surgery was performed to remove the bone fragment. A 6-month follow-up showed dramatic improvement in neurologic status.

Intervention chirurgicale d'urgence pour une fracture du crâne pénétrante causant une lacération au parenchyme du cerveau suite à une morsure chez une chienne. Une chienne stérilisée de race croisée âgée de 5 mois a été attaquée par un autre chien causant des fractures multiples de la voûte crânienne gauche avec un fragment pénétrant dans la matière grise du lobe pariétal. La chirurgie a été réalisée pour enlever le fragment d'os. Un suivi de 6 mois a démontré une amélioration spectaculaire de l'état neurologique.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Comparison of clinical findings between dogs with suspected anaphylaxis and dogs with confirmed sepsis.

OBJECTIVE To compare clinical signs, laboratory test results, and imaging findings between dogs with suspected anaphylaxis and dogs with sepsis. DESIGN Retrospective case-case study. ANIMALS 10 dogs with suspected anaphylaxis and 22 dogs with confirmed sepsis that met the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome. PROCEDURES Medical records for dogs in each group were reviewed and data extracted regarding signalment; reason for hospital admission; physical examination findings; results of CBC, serum biochemical analysis, coagulation testing, cytologic examination, and microbial culture; and imaging reports. RESULTS All dogs in the anaphylaxis group fulfilled the criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Dogs in both groups had gastrointestinal signs, lethargy, mentation change, and bleeding abnormalities. Dogs with suspected anaphylaxis had a significantly higher eosinophil count and serum alanine aminotransferase activity and lower blood pH than dogs with sepsis. Dogs with sepsis had a significantly higher band neutrophil count, serum globulins concentration, and serum alkaline phosphatase activity and lower serum glucose concentration. Dogs in both groups had intracavitary free fluid and ultrasonographic findings of thickened intestines, gas or fluid-filled intestines, and a thickened gallbladder wall. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clinical signs, laboratory values, and imaging findings may be similar in dogs with sepsis or anaphylaxis. Given the marked difference in prognosis and treatment, early differentiation is important. Anaphylaxis should be considered if a septic nidus cannot be identified, and supportive care should be considered for such patients.

Spatially explicit estimates of prey consumption reveal a new krill predator in the Southern Ocean.

Development in foraging behaviour and dietary intake of many vertebrates are age-structured. Differences in feeding ecology may correlate with ontogenetic shifts in dispersal patterns, and therefore affect foraging habitat and resource utilization. Such life-history traits have important implications in interpreting tropho-dynamic linkages. Stable isotope ratios in the whiskers of sub-yearling southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina; n = 12) were used, in conjunction with satellite telemetry and environmental data, to examine their foraging habitat and diet during their first foraging migration. The trophic position of seals from Macquarie Island (54°30'S, 158°57'E) was estimated using stable carbon (δ(1) (3)C) and nitrogen (δ(15)N) ratios along the length of the whisker, which provided a temporal record of prey intake. Satellite-relayed data loggers provided details on seal movement patterns, which were related to isotopic concentrations along the whisker. Animals fed in waters south of the Polar Front (>60°S) or within Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Statistical Subareas 88.1 and 88.2, as indicated by both their depleted δ(1) (3)C (<-20‰) values, and tracking data. They predominantly exploited varying proportions of mesopelagic fish and squid, and crustaceans, such as euphausiids, which have not been reported as a prey item for this species. Comparison of isotopic data between sub-yearlings, and 1, 2 and 3 yr olds indicated that sub-yearlings, limited by their size, dive capabilities and prey capture skills to feeding higher in the water column, fed at a lower trophic level than older seals. This is consistent with the consumption of euphausiids and most probably, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), which constitute an abundant, easily accessible source of prey in water masses used by this age class of seals. Isotopic assessment and concurrent tracking of seals are successfully used here to identify ontogenetic shifts in broad-scale foraging habitat use and diet preferences in a highly migratory predator.